a sudden, rapid increase in biodiversity

the variety of species on Earth

type of fossil formed when the bodies or body parts of organisms are preserved as fossils

the limitations on an engineering solution

the requirements that must be met for an engineering solution to be considered successful

the inherited changes that occur in a population over time

when all members of a species die and the species no longer exists

the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism

what is a geologist's term for a layer of rock

a characteristic of an organism

the history of life on Earth as documented by the fossils collected so far

differences in the inherited traits of different individuals

differences in the inherited traits of different individuals

a model used to study the history of Earth that divides this history into blocks of time such as geologic eras and geologic periods

states that older layers of rock are found below younger layers of rock

an event in the history of life on Earth in which a large number of species go extinct over a relatively short time period

preserve the traces that living things left behind. (footprints, animal burrows, toothmarks)

a sphere that is a model of Earth and most accurately represents it

a group of individuals of the same species that live and reproduce in the same place

a well-tested explanation of scientific observations and experiments that is supported by a large amount of evidence

a description of a natural phenomenon that has been repeatedly tested and appears to be without exception

data, or information, that either supports or counters a scientific theory or idea

the process of determining whether one rock, fossil, or event is older or younger than another

the process through which individuals in a population with certain inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than individuals with less favorable traits in a specific environment

a representation of an object or process that makes important aspects easier to observe