Fossil Record
What is a geologic column?
an ordered arrangement of rock layers that helps scientists understand Earth's history
What term describes changes in traits in a species over time?
evolution
What is a common ancestor?
What is an organism from which multiple species have evolved?
Natural selection favors traits that increase what?
survival or reproduction
What is artificial selection?
humans choosing which traits to breed for
The deepest fossils in a geologic column are usually from which time period?
The oldest time period
What evidence do scientists use to study patterns in extinct species?
Fossils
What does "evolution" mean in science?
change in species over time
What is adaptation?
a trait that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce?
Give an example of artificial selection
breeding dogs or growing bigger strawberries
What can cause gaps in the fossil record?
erosion, lack of fossilization, or missing rock layers
How does extinction affect biodiversity?
it reduces biodiversity by eliminating species
Who developed the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
Name one environmental pressure that can lead to natural selection.
competition, predation, disease, or climate change
How is artificial selection different from natural selection?
humans choose traits, not nature
How do scientists use fossils to figure out the age of rock layers?
relative dating or using the position and types of fossils
What’s one example of a pattern of change in organisms over time?
whales evolving from land animals
How does evolution happen over long periods of time?
small changes building up over generations
In natural selection, which individuals are more likely to reproduce?
individuals with favorable traits
Why might artificial selection be harmful?
it can cause health problems or reduce genetic variety
What makes a fossil an "index fossil"?
a fossil that lived for a short time but was found in many places
How can embryos show patterns of change?
embryos of different animals looking similar early in development
What evidence supports the theory of evolution? (Name 3)
What is fossils, DNA, body structures/anatomy, embryology
Why do organisms with better traits leave more offspring?
they survive longer and reproduce more
Why is genetic variation important, even in artificial selection?
it helps populations stay healthy and adapt to changes