Fossils and Evolution Review

What is a fossil?

• A type of rock

• Evidence of past life made by a living organism

• A type of mineral

• A type of plant

How do fossils help us understand past organisms?

• By showing their color

• By revealing their diet, movement, and interactions

• By indicating their size only

• By displaying their emotions

What is one of the specific conditions necessary for fossilization?

• Organisms must be exposed to sunlight.

• Organisms must be buried rapidly.

• Organisms must be in a high-oxygen environment.

• Organisms must be in a dry climate.

Why is a lack of oxygen important in the fossilization process?

• It helps organisms grow faster.

• It prevents decomposition by bacteria.

• It increases the temperature.

• It allows more scavengers to access the organism.

What are living fossils?

• Organisms that have gone extinct

• Organisms that appear in the fossil record and are still alive today relatively unchanged

• Organisms that have evolved significantly over time

• Organisms that are only found in fossils

What is the main focus of comparative embryology?

• Studying the genetic makeup of different species

• Comparing and contrasting embryos of different species

• Analyzing the behavior of adult animals

• Examining the fossil records of ancient species

How does comparative embryology help in understanding animal relationships?

• By analyzing adult animal behavior

• By comparing the physical characteristics of adult animals

• By showing how embryos of different species are related

• By studying the diet of different species

What happens to tail structures in most vertebrate embryos?

• They are retained in adult forms

• They develop but are not retained in adult forms

• They do not develop at all

• They are only found in adult forms

What is the focus of comparative (homologous) anatomy?

• The study of genetic differences in organisms.

• The study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms.

• The study of behavioral patterns in animals.

• The study of ecological interactions between species.

Which of the following is NOT a way evolution helps scientists explain?

• The history of life on Earth

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function

• The structure of the solar system

• Fossil Evidence and Geological Time