Fossils

Question 1

What are index fossils?

Answer 1

Fossils that are characteristically abundant and help date particular layers of rock

Index fossils are used to correlate the age of rock layers across different geographic locations.

Question 2

What is the significance of index fossils in geology?

Answer 2

They provide a means of biostratigraphy, allowing the correlation of rock layers from different locations

Biostratigraphy is a branch of stratigraphy that uses fossil distribution to date and correlate rock layers.

Question 3

Fill in the blank: Index fossils help to date particular _______ of rock.

Answer 3

[layers]

Question 4

What do polystrate fossils represent?

Answer 4

Fossils that run through several sedimentary rock layers

Polystrate fossils indicate that the sediments must have formed rapidly, as they run through multiple layers that supposedly represent millions of years.

Question 5

True or False: Polystrate fossils can be found in sedimentary rock layers.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Fill in the blank: Polystrate fossils should have decayed _______ the sedimentary layers formed.

Answer 6

[before]

Question 7

What do polystrate fossils suggest about the time frame of sedimentary layer formation?

Answer 7

They suggest that the sedimentary layers represent millions of years as evolution claims

However, the existence of polystrate fossils can challenge the long time frames typically associated with sedimentary rock formation.

Question 9

What are fossils used for in geology?

Answer 9

Fossils can be used as index fossils and to date the rocks in which they are found.

Index fossils are species that were widespread but only existed for a short period, allowing geologists to date the strata in which they are found.

Question 10

What is the significance of finding living fossils?

Answer 10

When found living, they vary very little from their ancestral past.

Living fossils are species that have remained relatively unchanged for millions of years.

Question 11

What evolutionary question arises regarding complex organisms?

Answer 11

Why would they evolve so complexly and then stop evolving for millions of years?

This raises questions about the mechanisms of evolution and environmental stability.

Question 12

What poses a significant problem in the study of evolution?

Answer 12

One-celled organisms pose the biggest problem because everything is thought to have come from them, yet they have not changed much since the beginning of time.

This challenges the understanding of evolutionary processes over billions of years.

Question 13

Provide examples of living fossils.

Answer 13

• Tuatara
• Coelacanth

These species have ancient lineages and show little change over geological time.

Question 14

What is an index fossil?

Answer 14

A particular type of fossil found in a specific rock layer.

Index fossils are used to identify and correlate the age of rock layers.

Question 15

What observation can be made about the strata of fossils?

Answer 15

In each strata of fossil that is abundant, there seems to be certain characteristics.

This may relate to the environmental conditions at the time the organisms lived.

Question 18

What is the evolutionary progression mentioned from ape to human?

Answer 18

Walking on all fours to walking upright

Question 19

What is a living fossil?

Answer 19

A living species of organism that closely resembles otherwise known only from the fossil record

Question 20

What type of animals are many living fossils?

Answer 20

Marine animals

Question 21

What is notable about the ocean in relation to living fossils?

Answer 21

The ocean is relatively unexplored

Question 22

What has contributed to recent discoveries of living fossils?

Answer 22

The flood

Question 23

Fill in the blank: A living fossil is a living species that closely resembles _______.

Answer 23

[organisms otherwise known only from the fossil record]

Question 24

True or False: There is a single ancestral plant type that can be traced to all modern plants.

Answer 24

False

Question 25

What is the significance of the term 'living fossil' in paleontology?

Answer 25

It indicates a species that has remained relatively unchanged over geological time.

Question 26

What does the term 'fossil record' refer to?

Answer 26

The history of life as documented by fossils

Question 27

Why is the ocean considered a key area for discovering living fossils?

Answer 27

Because it is relatively unexplored

Question 29

What is an example of a fossil that is thought to be a transitional form?

Answer 29

Coelacanth ## Footnote Coelacanths are ancient fish that were once thought to be extinct.

Question 30

What key feature distinguishes reptiles from birds?

Answer 30

Different limb structure and bone structure ## Footnote This includes adaptations such as wings and feathers in birds.

Question 31

What is the significance of Archaeopteryx in evolution?

Answer 31

It is thought to be a transitional species between reptiles and birds ## Footnote Archaeopteryx exhibits both avian and reptilian features.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: The class that includes modern birds is classified as _______

Answer 32

Aves

Question 33

True or False: Birds are considered to be a type of reptile.

Answer 33

True ## Footnote Birds are classified within the clade Archosauria, which also includes reptiles.

Question 34

What type of teeth did some extinct birds have?

Answer 34

Teeth ## Footnote This feature is seen in some extinct types of birds, differentiating them from modern birds.

Question 35

What is one function of feathers in birds?

Answer 35

Flight and insulation ## Footnote Feathers play a crucial role in the ability of birds to fly and regulate their body temperature.

Question 36

What does the term 'transitional fossil' refer to?

Answer 36

Fossils that exhibit traits common to both an ancestral group and its derived descendant group ## Footnote Transitional fossils provide evidence for the process of evolution.

Question 38

What is the primary reason there are very few human skeletons found as fossils?

Answer 38

They would have drowned and decomposed on the ground. ## Footnote This indicates that conditions for fossilization were not met for humans, as they would not remain preserved after death.

Question 39

What happens to heavier objects in water during fossilization?

Answer 39

Heavier objects would have sunk. ## Footnote This suggests that only certain types of materials have a chance of being fossilized based on their density.

Question 40

What are transition fossils?

Answer 40

Transitional forms or the missing link between one type of organism and another. ## Footnote These fossils provide evidence for the evolutionary process.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: Lighter objects would have been _______.

Answer 41

destroyed. ## Footnote This highlights the conditions that affect fossil preservation.

Question 42

What type of organisms does the explosion of complex marine organisms refer to?

Answer 42

The emergence of diverse life forms during a significant evolutionary event. ## Footnote This event marks a critical point in the history of life on Earth.

Question 44

What type of organisms are found higher in strata?

Answer 44

Birds and reptiles ## Footnote Birds and reptiles are located higher due to their increased mobility and ability to live at higher elevations.

Question 45

Which organisms appear in the fossil record when amphibians and reptiles do?

Answer 45

Plants ## Footnote The appearance of plants is correlated with the presence of amphibians and reptiles.

Question 46

True or False: Very few land-dwelling organisms are found in the lower levels of strata.

Answer 46

True ## Footnote This suggests that the fossil record in lower strata is less diverse in terms of land-dwelling species.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: Mammals are found ______ than amphibians.

Answer 47

higher ## Footnote Mammals tend to occupy higher strata compared to amphibians.

Question 48

What instincts are observed in larger animals during danger?

Answer 48

Gathering in herds ## Footnote This behavior is a survival strategy to protect against threats.

Question 49

What do we expect to find in vast fossil beds?

Answer 49

Many of the same type of animals ## Footnote This indicates the segregation between land and aquatic habitats.

Question 50

What is the significance of elevation in the fossil record?

Answer 50

Increased ability to avoid burial ## Footnote Higher elevations may lead to fewer fossilized remains due to erosion and other geological processes.

Question 51

Which two groups of organisms are mentioned as being found together due to their habitat?

Answer 51

Amphibians and reptiles ## Footnote This indicates a close ecological relationship between these two groups.

Question 53

What would happen to fossils in sedimentation?

Answer 53

Fossils would eventually be relocated and not be able to outrun sedimentation.

Question 54

True or False: Flooding would wash away plants and sediments.

Answer 54

True

Question 55

What would rocks undergo as they are moved by currents?

Answer 55

Rocks would crack and eventually be smoothed.

Question 56

Fill in the blank: Vast seas would flow down ______, carrying mud and sediments.

Answer 56

[river routes]

Question 57

What would be trapped with mud during sedimentation?

Answer 57

Plants and invertebrates

Question 58

What changes would heat undergo during sedimentation?

Answer 58

Heat would undergo rapid changes.

Question 59

What effect does salinity have during sedimentation?

Answer 59

Salinity would undergo rapid changes.

Question 60

What would happen to plants during flooding?

Answer 60

Plants would be washed away.

Question 61

Fill in the blank: Sediments would be carried away in great ______.

Answer 61

[masses]

Question 62

What is a consequence of erosion during flooding?

Answer 62

Erosion would create a landscape change.