WorksheetsCommon Ancestry
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 30mins
Why do scientists think the fossil record is incomplete?
fossils decompose over time
the formation of fossils is rare
only organisms with hard parts become fossils
there are no fossils before the Phonerozoic eon.
What do the peaks of the graph show?
extinction events
meteorite impacts
changes in Earth's temperature
the evolution of new species
What can scientists learn about fossils using techniques of absolute-age dating?
extimated ages of fossils in rock layers
precise ages of fossils in rock layers
causes of fossil disappearances in rock layers
structural similarities to other fossils in rock layers
Which is the source of variations in a population of organisms?
changes in environment
changes in genes
the interaction of genes with an evnironment
the interaction of individuals with an environment
Which is an example of a functional adaptation?
a brightly colored butterfly
birds flying south in the fall
the spray of a skunk
thorns on a rose
Which is NOT an example of a vestigial structure?
eyes of a blind salamander
pelvic bones in a whale
thorns on a rose bush
wings on a flightless bird
Which do the images represent?
analogous structures
embryological structures
homologous structures
vestigial structures
Which is an example of a sudden change that could lead to the extinction of species?
a mountain range isolates a species
Earth's tectonic plates move
a volcano erupts
sea level changes
Which is the sequence by which natural selection works?
selection → adaptation → variation
selection → variation → adaptation
variation → adaptation → selection
variation → selection → adaptation
Which explains the relationship between fossils and extinction events?
fossils are not related to extinction events
extinction events produce no fossils
fossils are evidence of extinction events
extinction events are widespread and rapid decreases in the biodiversity on Earth
In 2004, a fossil of an organism that had fins and gills, but also lungs and writs, was discovered. What might this fossil suggest about evolution?
an evolutionary stage from terrestrial species to an aquatic species
an evolutionary stage from an aquatic species to a terrestrial species
common ancestry among aquatic species and terrestrial species
all of the above might be suggested by this fossil evidence
Darwin developed his theory of natural selection before the discovery of genes and DNA. Why was the discovery of genes powerful support for Darwin's theory of natural selection?
all genes are 100% unique to a species and there is no commonality between species
genes are the source of mutation that produces variation which leads to natural selection
Charles Darwin was a fraud whose ideas have been ignored since he made his claim.
How are natural selection and selective breeding related?
selective breeding eventually removes all desirable traits of a species and renders it extinct
changes caused by selective breeding are similar to those caused by natural selection
How does evidence from the fossil record and from living species suggest that Earth's species are related? Check all that apply.
fossils
comparative anatomy
embryology
molecular research
In your opinion, what is the most compelling evidence for evolution?
fossil record - specimens of extinct animals resembling living species
embryology - commonality between diverse species in early development
comparative anatomy - homologous and vestigial structures
molecular biology - similarities in genes among diverse species
