Fossils
What is a fossil?
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism.
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
What is the "Out of Africa" theory?
The "Out of Africa" theory suggests that modern humans originated in Africa and migrated to other parts of the world.
What is one piece of evidence for evolution?
One piece of evidence for evolution is the fossil record.
What is extinction?
Extinction is the end of an organism or a species when no individuals are left.
How are fossils formed?
Fossils are formed when organisms are buried by sediment, which hardens over time into rock.
Who proposed natural selection?
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection.
Name one early human ancestor.
One early human ancestor is Australopithecus.
What is comparative anatomy?
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species, providing evidence for evolution.
What causes extinction?
Extinction can be caused by environmental changes, loss of habitat, predation, disease, or competition.
What can fossils tell us?
Fossils can tell us about the history of life, past environments, and the process of evolution.
What are the four principles of natural selection?
The four principles are variation, inheritance, selection, and time.
What is bipedalism?
Bipedalism is the ability to walk on two legs, which is a key characteristic of human evolution.
What are homologous structures?
Homologous structures are body parts in different species that are similar in structure but may serve different functions, indicating a common ancestor.
Name one mass extinction event.
One mass extinction event is the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which wiped out the dinosaurs.
What is sedimentary rock?
Sedimentary rock is a type of rock that is formed by the accumulation of sediment, often containing fossils.
What is adaptation?
Adaptation is the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.
How did early humans survive?
Early humans survived through hunting, gathering, and the development of tools.
What is embryology?
Embryology is the study of embryos and their development, showing similarities in early stages of different species.
What is the impact of climate change on species?
Climate change can lead to habitat loss, altered food availability, and increased extinction rates.
What is a fossil record?
A fossil record is the history of life as documented by fossils, showing the changes in species over time.
Give an example of natural selection.
An example of natural selection is the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
What is the significance of the discovery of Lucy?
Lucy is significant because she is one of the oldest and most complete hominid skeletons ever found, providing insights into human evolution.
What is DNA analysis?
DNA analysis compares genetic material between species, providing evidence of evolutionary relationships.
How can extinction affect ecosystems?
Extinction can disrupt food chains, reduce biodiversity, and lead to the collapse of ecosystems.