UNIT: HISTORY OF THE EARTH
The image shows two different species. Which is a shared characteristic of these two species? tail scales hair body shape
tail
A cladogram is shown for three groups of organisms, X, Y, and Z. Which relationship is the arrow pointing to in the cladogram? the common ancestor for X and Z the common ancestor for X and Y the common ancestor for X, Y, and Z the common ancestor for Y and Z
the common ancestor for X and Y
Alex listed the typical steps of fossil formation. 1) An organism dies.2) The remains fall to the bottom of the ocean.3) The soft portions decay, and the hard portions remain.4) The sediment becomes rock. Which statement describes the missing step? After step 3, layers of sediment cover the dead organism. After step 1, minerals dissolve the dead organism. After step 4, layers of sediment cover the dead organism. After step 2, minerals dissolve the dead organism.
After step 3, layers of sediment cover the dead organism.
Compared to absolute dating, what is a disadvantage of relative dating? Fossils must be in undisturbed rock layers to determine age. Age, in years, cannot be determined for an individual fossil. Age can be determined by comparing the depth of one rock layer to another. Two or more fossils must be compared to determine age.
Age, in years, cannot be determined for an individual fossil.
Which characteristic is shared by extrusions, intrusions, and faults? All are cracks. All are igneous rocks. All cause gaps in the geologic record. All are younger than surrounding rocks.
All are younger than surrounding rocks.
The diagram shows shared characteristics of plants and a blank cladogram. Which plant should be written in the area marked Y in the cladogram? lily moss conifer fern Submitted
moss
Dwayne is making a cladogram using a diagonal line. Where should he place the least primitive organism? E A B D
not the letter a ( might be e)
What was the significance of collisions of dust, rock, and ice during Earth's formation? to modify the density of materials present on Earth to facilitate heat absorption from the surrounding space to blow away a strong burst of particles from the first atmosphere to harden materials to form different parts of Earth's layers
to modify the density of materials present on Earth
Which best describes the two types of shared characteristics? 1 - characteristics that remain in the common ancestor and the modern organism2 - characteristics that are new and have been modified from what was found in the common ancestor 1 - characteristics that are new in the common ancestor and the modern organism2 - characteristics that have been modified from what was found in the common ancestor 1 - characteristics that have been modified in the common ancestor but not in the modern organism2 - characteristics that are new in both the common ancestor and the modern organism 1 - characteristics that remain in the common ancestor and the modern organism2 - characteristics that are new in both the common ancestor and the modern organism
1 - characteristics that remain in the common ancestor and the modern organism2 - characteristics that are new and have been modified from what was found in the common ancestor
The image shows sedimentary rock layers. According to the law of superposition, which layer is the oldest? 1 2 3 4
4
Study this image of a geologic time scale. How long ago did invertebrates become common on Earth? 1.6 million years ago 132 million years ago 410 million years ago 520 million years ago
520 million years ago
In which situation is the principle of cross-cutting relationships useful in determining relative age? A fault breaks through sedimentary layers. Fossils of two different species are found in different rock layers. Sedimentary layers form over millions of years in a lake bottom. Lava flows form on top of one another from several eruptions over time.
A fault breaks through sedimentary layers.
The chart shows shared characteristics of three kinds of plants. Which is supported by the information in the chart? All three plants have a common ancestor that had seeds. All three plants have a common ancestor that had leaves. Plants B and C are most closely related. Plants A and B are most closely related.
All three plants have a common ancestor that had leaves.
Which led to the formation of oceans after water on Earth's surface evaporated? The sun released a strong burst of water vapor. As Earth cooled, water in the atmosphere condensed. Materials collided due to strong gravitational forces. The ozone layer formed to protect against harmful UV ray exposure.
As Earth cooled, water in the atmosphere condensed.
A geologist finds four layers of sedimentary rock. She determines that no geologic events have shifted the layers. She labels the layers A, B, C, and D from the top to the bottom. Which statement about these layers is accurate? A is older than B. B is older than C. C is younger than A. B is younger than D.
B is younger than D.
How much time is needed to form most fossils? a few months a few years hundreds of years millions of years
millions of years
Which period is older than the Triassic period? Cambrian Cretaceous Jurassic Paleogene
Cambrian
Which unit of geologic time began 65.5 million years ago and continues to the present? Cenozoic era Mesozoic era Permian period Precambrian time
Cenozoic era
The diagram shows fossils buried in layers of rock. Which conclusion is best supported by the diagram? Trilobites and gastropods are the youngest fossils. Crinoids and gastropods have lived during the same time period. Ferns have existed for a longer period of time than coral. Every ammonite fossil is older than the gastropod fossils.
Crinoids and gastropods have lived during the same time period.
Tigers and crocodiles are more closely related than tigers and sharks. Which statement about shared characteristics bestsupports this statement? Crocodiles and sharks both live in water. Crocodiles and tigers are both made of cells. Crocodiles and tigers both have four legs. Sharks and tigers are both meat eaters.
Crocodiles and tigers both have four legs.
Which period belongs to the Paleozoic era and not the Cenozoic era? Devonian Neogene Paleogene Quaternary
Devonian
This diagram shows rock formations forming. Which statement describes one or both formations? Formation 2 is an extrusion. Formation 1 is an intrusion. Formations 1 and 2 are faults. Formations 1 and 2 are igneous rock.
Formations 1 and 2 are igneous rock.
Jonas drew a diagram to compare two types of fossils. Which label belongs in the area marked Z? Involves minerals replacing remains of organism Takes millions of years to form Gives evidence of organism's activity Forms as sediment hardens
Gives evidence of organism's activity
Which best explains how gravity contributes to the formation of layers in protoplanets? Gravity attracts materials and causes compaction, which produces heat and leads to the melting, sinking, and rising of materials. Gravity causes materials to undergo radioactive decay, which produces heat and leads to the melting, sinking, and rising of materials. Gravity absorbs heat, which cools materials and causes them to sink and rise. Gravity releases heat into space, which cools materials and causes them to sink and rise.
Gravity attracts materials and causes compaction, which produces heat and leads to the melting, sinking, and rising of materials.
Which best describes how shared characteristics can be used to identify evolutionary relationships? If organisms have a common ancestor, most of their characteristics will be shared. If two organisms have a shared characteristic, it means one evolved from the other. If organisms have many shared characteristics, they are likely to be closely related. If organisms have a shared characteristic, it means they are closely related.
If organisms have many shared characteristics, they are likely to be closely related.
Which statement describes the law of superposition? Sedimentary rocks were originally in horizontal layers. In horizontal rock layers, each layer is younger than the one below it. Rock layers must be in existence before something can happen to them. Rocks that are not in horizontal layers were shifted by some geologic event.
In horizontal rock layers, each layer is younger than the one below it.
What does the geologic time scale confirm about the Cretaceous period? It ended during the Cenozoic era. It ended during the Mesozoic era. It started before Precambrian time. It started before the Cambrian period.
It ended during the Mesozoic era.
Ariel drew the cladogram shown. Which best describes species C? It has jaws, but no hollow bones. It has hollow bones, but no jaws. It has neither hollow bones nor jaws. It has hollow bones and jaws.
It has neither hollow bones nor jaws.
This fossil shows tunnels left after animals burrowed through the sediment. Which statement best describes this fossil? It is a mold, because it shows empty spaces in the organisms' shapes. It is a cast, because it shows empty spaces in the organisms' shapes. It is a trace, because it shows evidence of animal activity. It is an imprint, because it shows evidence of animal activity.
It is a trace, because it shows evidence of animal activity.
Which statement best describes the fossil record? It is a complete record. It is an incomplete record. Most fossils are older than five billion years. All fossils are younger than six hundred years.
It is an incomplete record.
A scientist finds a fossil that she thinks might make a good index fossil. Which characteristic does this fossil most likely have? It is the remains of an organism still found alive today. It is the remains of an organism that is found in abundance nearby. It is the only fossil for this type of organism that has ever been found. It is the remains of an organism that lived in a narrow geographic area.
It is the remains of an organism that is found in abundance nearby.
The image shows sedimentary rock layers with index fossils and a fault. Which statement accurately describes the rock layers? Layer 8 is older than layer 1. Layer 3 is younger than layer 6. Layer 4 and layer 10 are the same relative age. Layer 2 and layer 9 are the same relative age.
Layer 2 and layer 9 are the same relative age.
The diagram shows horizontal rock layers. Which statement is accurate? Layer C is younger than layer A. Layer D has an older relative age than layer C. If a geologic event tilted these layers, layer B would no longer be the oldest. It is possible to determine the absolute age of layer C with the information given.
Layer C is younger than layer A.
The diagram shows horizontal rock layers. According to the law of superposition, which statement is supported by the diagram? Layer C is the oldest layer. Layer B is younger than layer D. Layer C is older than layer A. Layer D is the youngest layer.
Layer D is the youngest layer.
The table shows index fossils. Which conclusion about Paradoxides pinus is supported by the information in the table? Life forms existed during the Cambrian period. Similar fossil species formed after the Devonian period. This fossil species first appeared during the Cenozoic era. Different life forms were surviving during Precambrian time.
Life forms existed during the Cambrian period.
Which evidence is most likely used to indicate the beginning of solar system formation? Materials combined to form a mass. Materials were pulled together by gravity. Water condensed and collected to form oceans. Different species of microorganisms lived on Earth.
Materials were pulled together by gravity.
According to the fossil record, which of these evolved after amphibians? Select two options. mammals sponges fish bacteria reptiles
NOT mammals sponges
Ariel drew the cladogram shown. Which best describes species C? It has jaws, but no hollow bones. It has hollow bones, but no jaws. It has neither hollow bones nor jaws. It has hollow bones and jaws.
NOT It has jaws, but no hollow bones.
The diagram shows horizontal rock layers. Which statement is accurate? Layer C is younger than layer A. Layer D has an older relative age than layer C. If a geologic event tilted these layers, layer B would no longer be the oldest. It is possible to determine the absolute age of layer C with the information given.
NOT It is possible to determine the absolute age of layer C with the information given.
Which evidence is most likely used to indicate the beginning of solar system formation? Materials combined to form a mass. Materials were pulled together by gravity. Water condensed and collected to form oceans. Different species of microorganisms lived on Earth.
NOT Materials combined to form a mass.
Which condition is necessary for a mold fossil to form? The fossil must be preserved in amber. Minerals must replace the remains. The mold must be filled with sediment. Hard parts of the organism must dissolve.
NOT The mold must be filled with sediment.
A geologist finds some tilted sedimentary rock layers. Which conclusion can the geologist draw by looking at the rock layers? Their absolute age is 600 million years. They were tilted before they were deposited. They were originally deposited horizontally. The youngest layer was originally deposited as the bottom layer.
NOT Their absolute age is 600 million years.
A geologist finds some tilted sedimentary rock layers. Which conclusion can the geologist draw by looking at the rock layers? Their absolute age is 600 million years. They were tilted before they were deposited. They were originally deposited horizontally. The youngest layer was originally deposited as the bottom layer.
NOT They were tilted before they were deposited.
The diagram shows two different types of fossils from the same kind of ancient organism. Which labels complete the diagram? X: moldY: cast X: castY: mold X: traceY: imprint X: imprintY: trace
NOT X: moldY: cast
What information does the geologic time scale provide? explanation of how organisms interact with one another places where dinosaurs roamed on Earth reasons why organisms evolve into different species information about when plants first appeared
NOT explanation of how organisms interact with one another
Which pair of elements can be used to determine the age of a fossil that is over one billion years old? lead, which is radioactive, and uranium, which is stable carbon, which is radioactive, and nitrogen, which is stable argon, which is radioactive, and lead, which is stable potassium, which is radioactive, and argon, which is stable
NOT lead, which is radioactive, and uranium, which is stable
Which statement explains one reason why unconformities occur? Rocks along a fault break and move. Igneous rock forms at Earth's surface. No sediment is deposited over a long time. Igneous rock forms between sedimentary layers.
No sediment is deposited over a long time.
Study this cladogram. Which statement is supported by this cladogram? Organism D is the most primitive organism. Organism A is a common ancestor of B, C, and D. Organism D is a common ancestor of A, B, and, C. Organism A is the most primitive organism.
Organism A is the most primitive organism.
Study the graph about oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere. Which describes oxygen content as Earth evolved over time? Oxygen levels sharply declined about 400 million years ago. Oxygen levels stay above 15 percent starting 200 million years ago Oxygen levels remain below 5 percent starting 1000 million years ago. Oxygen levels raise significantly between 1000 and 700 million years ago.
Oxygen levels stay above 15 percent starting 200 million years ago
The chart shows shared characteristics of three organisms. Which is supported by the information in the chart? The common ancestor of rabbits, fish, and cats had fins. Rabbits and fish share two characteristics. Only cats and fish had tails. Cats are more closely related to fish than to rabbits.
Rabbits and fish share two characteristics.
Absolute dating relies on elements, which are unstable elements that release energy as they break down.
Radioactive
dating is the process of putting events or fossils in order from oldest to youngest without using actual dates.
Ralating
dating is the process of putting events or fossils in order from oldest to youngest without using actual dates.
Relative
Which best explains how scientists confirmed that the moon formed around the same time as Earth? Scientists determined the approximate age of fossils from the moon and Earth. Scientists used radioactive dating to study the age of material from the moon and Earth. Scientists explored the cycle of condensation and evaporation over time on the moon and Earth. Scientists analyzed the content of gases that were part of the atmospheres on the moon and Earth.
Scientists used radioactive dating to study the age of material from the moon and Earth.
Which event in Earth's history most directly allowed life to exist on land? Earth's temperatures increased, causing widespread evaporation. Earth collided with a large object, forming the moon. Single-celled organisms released oxygen into the air when they photosynthesized. Single-celled organisms absorbed harmful gases from the air when they first formed.
Single-celled organisms released oxygen into the air when they photosynthesized.
Which best explains how the collisions of materials in space contribute to the formation of layers in protoplanets? The materials undergo decay when they collide, which results in the heating and subsequent melting and rising of materials. The collisions release heat, which results in the heating and subsequent melting, sinking, and rising of materials. The materials undergo decay when they collide, which results in the cooling and subsequent hardening and sinking of materials. The collisions absorb heat, which results in the cooling and subsequent hardening and rising of materials.
The collisions release heat, which results in the heating and subsequent melting, sinking, and rising of materials.
Which important event in Earth's history occurred during the Jurassic period? The first birds emerged on Earth. Mammals were in search of food. Animals with shells emerged on Earth Treelike ferns first began to grow and populate.
The first birds emerged on Earth.
Study the image. 8307-06-05-10.jpg Which describes the geological time of the first land plants? Conifers appeared after the first flowering plants. Conifers first appeared around 182 million years ago. The first flowering plants appeared around 240 million years ago. The first flowering plants were introduced toward the end of the Mesozoic era.
The first flowering plants were introduced toward the end of the Mesozoic era.
The diagram shows fossils buried in layers of sediment. Which statement is supported by the information in the diagram? The fossil in layer Z is the youngest. The fossils in layers Y and Z are younger than the fossil in layer V. The fossil in layer Y is older than the fossil in layer W. The fossil in layer X is older than the fossil in layer Z.
The fossil in layer Y is older than the fossil in layer W.
Which event is most likely if an index fossil is found in a layer at location 1, but the layer and index fossil are not found at location 2 nearby, which is known to be the same relative age? The layer at location 2 is too old to contain fossils. The locations were too close together. The organism did not exist at location 2. The layers at location 2 formed much earlier than those at location 1.
The organism did not exist at location 2.
Three different reptile skulls with a common ancestor show that the skull changed from having no holes behind the eye to having one hole, and then two holes behind the eye. What conclusion did scientists draw about the reptile? The skull evolved as the reptile developed stronger jaws. The reptile evolved from living in water to living on land. The reptiles were different ages when they died. The reptile was never properly preserved during fossil formation.
The skull evolved as the reptile developed stronger jaws
Three different reptile skulls with a common ancestor show that the skull changed from having no holes behind the eye to having one hole, and then two holes behind the eye. What conclusion did scientists draw about the reptile? The skull evolved as the reptile developed stronger jaws. The reptile evolved from living in water to living on land. The reptiles were different ages when they died. The reptile was never properly preserved during fossil formation.
The skull evolved as the reptile developed stronger jaws.
Compared to absolute dating, what is an advantage of relative dating? A single fossil can be dated by itself. The actual age of a fossil can be determined. Fossils do not need to be arranged in different layers of rock. There is no limit to the age range of the fossils being dated.
There is no limit to the age range of the fossils being dated.
The diagram shows a football field that represents a geological time scale. Why are no organisms labeled between the end zone and 30 yard line on the left side of the field? Scientists disagree about the fossils from this time period. Scientists have not studied that part of the time scale. There is very little fossil evidence for this time period. There are too many fossils to name.
There is very little fossil evidence for this time period.
How do index fossils help scientists? They aid in the study of ranges of different organisms. They advance understanding of the origin of life on Earth. They aid in comparison of rock layers at distant locations. They advance understanding of rock type at the time the organism lived.
They aid in comparison of rock layers at distant locations.
Which feature forms at Earth's surface from the cooling of lava? extrusion fault intrusion unconformity
extrusion
Study the images of four different plants. Based on the observable shared characteristics, which two plants are probably the most closely related? W and Y X and Z W and Z Y and Z
W and Z
The diagram shows two different types of fossils from the same kind of ancient organism. Which labels complete the diagram? X: moldY: cast X: castY: mold X: traceY: imprint X: imprintY: trace
X: castY: mold
Study the cladogram. Which characteristics are common to birds and lemurs? hair, biped vertebrae, hair tetrapod, vertebrae, biped amniotic egg, tetrapod, vertebrae
amniotic egg, tetrapod, vertebrae
Which phrase describes organisms that formed index fossils? are extinct had soft parts were generally large lived in a narrow geographic area
are extinct
Amar is making a cladogram. Out of all the species he is using, he knows that species X and Y are the least primitive and are the most closely related. Where will these organisms most likely be placed on the diagram? at two points close together toward the upper right of the diagram at two points close together toward the lower left of the diagram at two points far apart toward the middle of the diagram at two points far apart toward the upper right of the diagram
at two points close together toward the upper right of the diagram
Which statements best describe shared characteristics? Select two options. Shared characteristics always exist in the common ancestor and in the modern organism. Shared characteristics never exist in the common ancestor or in the modern organism. The more characteristics organisms share, the more closely related they are. The fewer characteristics organisms share, the more closely related they are. Shared characteristics can exist among organisms that belong to different species. Shared characteristics only exist among organisms that belong to the same species.
c and e
Which phrase describes faults? cause gaps in the geologic record cause rocks to break and move are older than surrounding rocks are igneous rocks that form beneath Earth's surface
cause rocks to break and move
A is a branching diagram that shows evolutionary relationships.
cladogram
The fossil record helps scientists identify a single species from which other organisms have descended. Which is used to refer to this single species? parent organism fossils descendant common ancestor
common ancestor
A scientist is using relative dating to determine the age of a fossil that she discovered. What would allow her to draw the best conclusions about fossils that are younger than the one she discovered? measuring the amount of carbon and nitrogen in the surrounding rock measuring the amount of potassium and argon in the surrounding rock finding fossils in the same area that are in layers deeper under the surface finding fossils in the same area that are in layers closer to the surface
finding fossils in the same area that are in layers closer to the surface
Zoe began to draw a cladogram. If she only needs to add the organisms, she can fit a maximum of different species on her cladogram.
four
Which correctly lists three different geologic features that help scientists determine the relative ages of rocks by their positions? magma, erosion, and intrusions erosion, magma, and cross-cutting relationships intrusions, index fossils, and magma index fossils, intrusions, and cross-cutting relationships
index fossils, intrusions, and cross-cutting relationships
Which phrase describes the absolute age of a rock? does not provide an exact age is the number of years since it formed is the age compared to other rocks around it indicates whether it is younger or older than the rocks above it
is the number of years since it formed
According to the geological time scale, evolved after the first insects evolved.
mammals
Which pair of elements can be used to determine the age of a fossil that is over one billion years old? lead, which is radioactive, and uranium, which is stable carbon, which is radioactive, and nitrogen, which is stable argon, which is radioactive, and lead, which is stable potassium, which is radioactive, and argon, which is stable
potassium, which is radioactive, and argon, which is stable
Study the cladogram. Which two organisms are the most closely related? lamprey and gorilla salamander and lizard tiger and shark lizard and lamprey
salamander and lizard
Evidence for evolution reveals that closely related organisms have many _______ characteristics.
shared
The chart shows shared characteristics of five organisms. Which organism has the weakest relationship to the gorilla? tiger shark lizard salamander
stark
Study the geologic time scale. The Eocene period exists in Earth's history around 34 MYA. What could a scientist do to determine what era the Eocene period belongs to on the geologic time scale? learn what happened during Precambrian time study information related to the Cenozoic era view the timing of events in the Mesozoic era research events that happened during the Paleozoic era
study information related to the Cenozoic era
