Transitions
This is an example of the first tetrapod
Acanthostega
What is the type of organism most affected by the first FOUR mass extinction events?
corals
Which appears first in the fossil record?
a) stromatolites
b) oxygen becomes stable in the atmosphere
c) First multicellular organism
a) stromatolites
The _____________________documents the biodiversity of life-forms throughout the history of life on Earth.
Fossil Record
The variety of life that exists in a particular habitat or ecosystem is known as ________________ (vocab term)
Biodiversity
The similarity of the limb structure in multiple species suggests
a) they share a common ancestor
b) evolved quickly
c) live for a long time
d) all grow at different rates
a) they share a common ancestor
65 million years ago, a mass extinction occurred, causing the extinction of dinosaurs. This caused diversity to change. What group became the top organisms?
mammals
How long did it take the first single celled organisms to stabilize the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?
a) a few years
b) thousands of years
c) a few million years
d) over a billion years
d) over a billion years
Provide all the correct statements that explain why the fossil record is considered incomplete.
a) Not all organisms become fossils
b) There were times when fossils didn't form
c) Some organisms are too small to make fossils
d) There are still fossils that haven't been found
a) Not all organisms become fossils
b) There were times when fossils didn't form
d) There are still fossils that haven't been found
Aquatic is to lungfish as Pederpes is to _______________ (vocab term)
terrestrial
Of the 5 species we learned about, which one shared characteristics of both fish and early tetrapods?
Tiktaalik
Of the 5 mass extinctions, how many led to the extinction of at least 75% of all species?
FIVE
Which appears first in the fossil record?
a) first multicellular organism
b) oldest fish
c) trilobite
d) first land plants
a) first multicellular organism
Scientists use uranium-235 to date the age of a specific sample of rocks containing trace fossils of plant life, which are determined to be 352 myo. Identify the false statements.
A) Scientists could use Carbon-14 to find the age of the trace fossils
B) The scientists probably measured the ratio of uranium-235 atoms to lead in the rock sample
C) Scientists measured the absolute age of the rocks and fossils
D) Scientists measured the relative date of the rocks and fossils
A) Scientists could use Carbon-14 to find the age of the trace fossils
D) Scientists were measured the relative date of the rocks and fossils
What was a characteristic only the mouse and human embryos had?
umbilical cord
What was the first group of organisms to have a backbone, bony skeleton, and skull
fish
What are the two MOST common environmental factors that led to multiple mass extinctions?
a) asteroid impact
b) volcanic activity
c) major temperature changes
d) algal blooms
b) volcanic activity
c) major temperature changes
Based on the fossil record, which appeared on land first?
a) insects
b) entirely terrestrial tetrapods
c) plants
d) first dinosaurs
c) plants
If a scientist wanted to find the absolute age of a rock sample, they could compare the ratio of ____________ __________to _____________ ______________
EXAMPLE ANSWERS
1. unstable atoms to stable atoms
2. uranium-235 atoms to lead atoms
Provide an example of a homologous structure
Example: limb of tetrapods
Besides the limb structure, identify THREE additional characteristics of Tiktaalik that made it tetrapod-like
1. ribs that interlocked
2. hip bones
3. lungs
4. neck
5. flat head with eyes on top
The mass extinction of the dinosaurs ended what era?
Mesozoic
359 million years ago, a mass extinction event led to decreased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which resulted in lower temperatures and global cooling. In addition, there were higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. Which environmental factor most likely was a major contributor to this?
Rapid growth of plants
What information do you need to find the precise age of a dinosaur fossil?
The absolute age of the rock the fossil is found in
Name two of three features that allowed pterosaurs to fly
1. hollow bones to reduce weight
2. Complex inner ear for balance
3. Mobile forelimbs that led to wings that could flap