Fossils
Vocabulary
Darwin
History of Life
Natural Selection
100
In relative age dating, which layers of rock will have the youngest fossils? Deep layers or shallow layers?
shallow layers
100
Process through which species change over time
Evolution
100
In his book, "The Origin of Species," Darwin developed the theory of ______________.
Evolution
100
How do scientists know so much about the history of life on earth?
By studying fossils
100
Before people knew about the process of natural selection, they were already controlling the traits of organisms (such as livestock) through the process of __________________.
Selective breeding, or artificial selection
200
Scientists can compare the structures of fossil skeletons to modern species and other fossils. This line of research, which provides evidence for evolution, is called ______________.
Comparative Anatomy
200
Fish lay 1000's of eggs, but only a few reach adulthood
Overproduction
200
Darwin was a naturalist. A naturalist is someone who ______________________________.
Studies plants and animals by observing them
200
Which came first, prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
prokaryotes
200
Who developed the theory of acquired characteristics?
LaMarck
300
Out of 5 billion bones, how many will become fossilized?
5
300
Development of new species from an existing species
Speciation
300
On the Galapagos, Darwin saw two kinds of tortoises of two different islands. What was the climate like on the island with saddle-shelled tortoises with long necks?
Dry, desert
300
The Age of mammals was preceded by the Age of __________________.
Dinosaurs
300
If an organism has a beneficial variation that other members of the population do not have, what will happen? List 2 things that will happen to that organism or the population.
1. the organism with the beneficial trait will survive longer, and have more offspring 2. The organisms offspring will carry the same trait and they will survive longer 3. Over time, all members of the population will carry this trait.
400
How much of the C-14 in a skeleton will be degraded to N-14 in 5,730 years?
50%
400
Body parts of organisms that are similar in function, but different in structure
Analogous structures
400
What was the name of the ship that Darwin sailed on?
HMS Beagle
400
Order the following groups of organisms according to how long they have been on earth. Start with the organisms that have been around the longest and end with the organisms that have been around for the shortest amount of time: Reptiles, fish, humans, bacteria, mammals
Bacteria, fish, reptiles, mammals, humans
400
Write the four steps of natural selection in order.
Reproduction, Variation, Competition, Selection
500
Archaeologists use radio carbon dating to determine the age of two fossils. One fossil has 25% of its original C-14 remaining, while the other has 50% of its original C-14. Which fossil is older?
The one with 25% C-14
500
Body parts of an organism are similar in structure and position, but different in function
Homologous structures
500
The Galapagos Islands provided Darwin with insights that helped him to develop his theory of evolution. Specifically, by observing the diversity of animals like finches and tortoises on the different islands he was able to see how the isolation of these islands led to ________________.
Speciation
500
Name two reasons why the fossil record is incomplete
1. It's not easy to become a fossil (only 1 bone in 1 billion) 2. Even if something is fossilized, it might not be found 3. A skeleton might become a fossil, but then it could be crushed by shifting tectonic plates, earthquakes, or volcanoes.
500
Name three fields of study that scientists have used to show evidence for evolution.
Comparative Anatomy (Fossils), Developmental Biology (embryology), Microbiology (Genetics), Vestigial Structures.
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