Theory of Plate Tectonics
Fossils as Evidence
Now That's Random
Analogous or Homologous?
Natural Selection
100
What is the name of the supercontinent theorized by Alfred Wegener?
Pangaea
100
Fossils help scientists determine the body structure of past organisms. What is another term for "body structure"?
anatomy
100
Which is more precise--determining relative age or using radioactive decay--to date a rock or fossil? Why?
Radioactive decay, because it can determine absolute age.
100
dog leg and whale flipper
homologous
100
Natural selection is also known as...
"survival of the fittest"
200
How do the continents' edges provide evidence for the Theory of Plate Tectonics?
The continents seem to fit together like puzzle pieces, which gives evidence that they were once joined.
200
If fossils found in undisturbed rock layers are arranged chronologically, where would the youngest fossils be found?
in the highest rock layers
200
What is one similarity and one difference between protons and electrons?
They both have electrical charges, but they're located in different parts of the atom.
200
bat wing and cat leg
homologous
200
Why do species become extinct?
They lack the genetic variation to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
300
How do fossils provide evidence for the Theory of Plate Tectonics?
Fossils of similar species have been found on different continents, which gives evidence that the continents were once joined.
300
How can fossils found in undisturbed rock layers help scientists determine when a species became extinct?
If a species became extinct, its fossils will be found in lower rock layers but not in higher rock layers.
300
What are shared by atoms when they chemically combine to form compounds?
electrons
300
penguin wing and shark fin
analogous
300
What is the term used to describe a change in an organism's genetic material?
mutation
400
How do volcanoes and earthquakes provide evidence for the Theory of Plate Tectonics?
Volcanoes and earthquakes occur at plate boundaries and show that tectonic plates are still moving.
400
How do fossils provide evidence for the Theory of Evolution?
fossils of different species from different time periods have been found to have similar body structures
400
What is a pure substance?
a substance with the same composition throughout that cannot be separated by physical means
400
insect wing and bird wing
analogous
400
What do mutations cause?
genetic variation (differences in traits such as color, size, speed, etc. within a population of the same species)
500
Using the Theory of Plate Tectonics, explain why Asian and African elephants evolved into different species.
When Pangaea split, the two populations of elephants eventually ended up living in different environments and climates. Natural selection took over, different traits became dominant, and two different species evolved.
500
How are fossils useful for taxonomy?
Fossils give evidence of organisms' anatomy, which helps scientists classify the organisms.
500
What is one similarity and one difference between elements and compounds?
They are both pure substances, but elements are made of only one type of atom, while compounds are made of more than one type of atom.
500
What is the difference between an analogous and homologous structure?
Analogous--different structure/same function (no common ancestor); Homologous--same structure/different function (common ancestor)
500
What is the relationship between genetic variation and a species' ability to avoid becoming extinct?
the higher the genetic variation, the more likely the species is to survive for a longer period of time/less genetic variation puts a species more at risk for extinction
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