Transitions
What are transitional organisms?
An organism that shows the gradual evolution between two different species
What is extinction?
The complete disappearance of a species when it can no longer survive and reproduce.
What is a vertebrate?
Animals that have a backbone (spinal column)
What are fossils?
The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.
True or False: Transitional species help scientists to study evolution.
True
What is not one of the causes for an extinction of a species?
A. Environmental Changes (climate shifts, natural disasters)
B. Loss of Habitat (deforestation, pollution)
C. Human Activities (hunting, overfishing)
D. Lack of protection (shells, bones, scales)
D. Lack of protection (shells, bones, scales)
What is not part of the five major vertebrate groups?
A. Fish
B. Animals
C. Birds
D. Insects
D. Insects
What is the law of superposition?
In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.
True or False: Transitions within evolution occur immediately?
False
Complete the sentence: Mass extinction occurs when a large percentage of species _______________.
Die out
What is the common feature shared between the vertebrates?
A backbone (spine)
What is carbon dating?
A method used to determine the age of organic materials, such as fossils or ancient artifacts by dating the decomposition of carbon atoms.
What is the trait a fish would need in order to survive on land for a long period of time?
Lungs, a harder skeleton
What is evolution?
The process by which species change over time due to genetic variations and natural selection.
What is the common feature scientists used to describe the common traits between the limbs of vertebrates to discover their evolution chain?
one bone/ two bone/ many bones/ and digits
What do the rock layers (strata) reveal to scientists about the past?
The rock layers reveal more about Earth’s past climate, environment, and the organisms that lived at that time.
Why are transitional species important?
They are important because they show the gradual transformation and evolution of a species instead of an abrupt change.
What is an Adaptation?
A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.
True or False: Vertebrates do not have any transitional organisms in their history.
False
On the geologic time scale, how long is human history?
A. 1.2 billion years
B. 200 million years
C. 200, 000 years
D. 50 years
C. 200, 000 years