WorksheetsHistory of Life on Earth
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 7mins
Which of the fossils have been found in Namibia?
Mammal-like reptiles
Early mammals
Soft-bodied animals
Glassopteris leaves
A problem in the accuracy of radiocarbon dating is that:
scientists are not sure that radioactive decay actually occurs
the decay rate of minerals can change without warning
the rocks that contain the fossils can't be dated
the half-life of carbon-14 is relatively short, and most fossils are millions of years old
Study the graph below which shows the major extinction events answer the questions that follow.
When did the Cenozoic era begin?
Around 65 mya, after the last major extinction.
260 mya
100 mya
Which mass extinction took place towards the end of the Paleozoic era?
dragons
The Permian extinction.
rhinos
Explain why the number of genera of organisms increased rapidly after each mass extinction. (give full answer)
The number of genera increased rapidly after each extinction event, because many genera were wiped out completely during the extinction, so their niches were left open. These niches were rapidly taken over by other genera, who diversified and formed new genera by natural selection.
because These niches were rapidly taken over by other genera, who diversified and formed new genera by natural selection.
What evidence do scientists use to show that dinosaurs once existed on Earth?
True: Fossils that were formed when the dinosaurs died, also animals like sharks, birds and crocodiles, that are closely related to dinosaurs.
false: Fossils that were formed when the dinosaurs died, also animals like sharks, birds and crocodiles, that are not closely related to dinosaurs.
How long ago did the dinosaurs become extinct?
a century ago
60 mya
Dinosaurs became extinct 65 mya.
is this statement TRUE OR FALSE:
"The Earth was struck by an asteroid from outer space (at the Yucatan Peninsula off Mexico). This caused massive fires, earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as dust clouds that blocked the sun, so photosynthesis was severely reduced and global climate changed. Few animals survived, and these diversified to fill the vacant niches and multiplied to repopulate the earth. The mammals and flowering plants became the dominant life forms after the last mass extinction. "
TRUE
FALSE
HOW OLD IS THE EARTH WE LIVE IN?
4,6 billion years old
2000 YEARS OLD
5 BILLION YEARS OLD
what are Prokaryotes which have evolved, with photosynthesising bacteria called.
cyanobacteria
kynobacteria
where in south africa is Australopithecus africanus (the "Taung Child") found?
North West Province
gauteng
pretoria
whats the importance of astralopithecus africunus ?
Most direct ancestor of modern humans
economy, toourism and meseums
choose the correct word:
Differ in time length e.g. Ordovician, Permian, Triassic (do not need to memorise names of these periods).
Periods
Extinct:
Fossils:
Stromatolites:
Traces of organisms which used to be alive. Hard tissue, such as bone or shell, is fossilized better than softer body parts. Soft tissue is eaten or it decays soon after death, leaving the bones and shells to petrify (turn to stone). Scientists who study fossils are called paleontologists.
Periods:
Extinct:
Fossils:
Radiometric Dating is:
Looks at the comparative depths of fossils in rock to ascertain which are oldest and which are most recent.
Uses the radioactive material in rocks to determine when rocks were formed or the age of the rock. The radioactive elements in rocks decay slowly over time – known as radioactive decay.
Relative Dating is:
Uses the radioactive material in rocks to determine when rocks were formed or the age of the rock. The radioactive elements in rocks decay slowly over time – known as radioactive decay.
Looks at the comparative depths of fossils in rock to ascertain which are oldest and which are most recent.
which fossil is this?
ammonite fossil
trilobite
We are in the crisis of the sixth mass extinction large amounts of valuable oxygen and release smoke and carbon dioxide resulting in global warming and climate change; illegal hunting and habitat destruction. who is the cause?
pollution
climate
animals
humans
