Chapter 6

Question 0

What kind of traits can be acted upon by natural selection

Answer 0

Inherited traits

Question 1

What are differences between members of the same species called

Answer 1

Variation

Question 2

In order for a new species to form what has to happen first

Answer 2

Geographic isolation

Question 3

What are fossils

Answer 3

Preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past

Question 4

How do most fossils form

Answer 4

Organisms die and become buried in sediment

Question 5

What is the difference between radioactive and relative dating

Answer 5

Relative- determining which of two fossils are older

Radioactive – determining the actual age of fossils

Question 6

What are you comparing when performing relative dating

Answer 6

Their placement in the layers of rock

Question 7

Defined the word extinct

Answer 7

No members of that species are still alive

Question 8

What is the difference between gradualism and punctuated equilibria

Answer 8

Gradualism – evolution occurs slowly but steadily

Punctuated equilibria – small period of big changes and then a small period of no changes and repeats

Question 9

What theory is supported by fossil records that show no intermediate forms for long periods of time

Answer 9

Punctuated equilibria

Question 10

What term refers to similar structures that related species inherit from a common ancestor

Answer 10

Homologous structures

Question 11

List the four types of evidence that scientist use to determine evolutionary relationships

Answer 11

Fossils, DNA, body structure, similarities in early development

Question 12

What is a branching tree

Answer 12

A diagram that shows how scientists think different groups of organisms are related

Question 13

What difference did Darwin observe among the finches on the Galapagos islands

Answer 13

Beak size and shape

Question 14

What is a trait that helps an organism to survive and reproduce called

Answer 14

Adaptation

Question 15

Explain the concept of natural selection

Answer 15

Process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than other numbers of the same species

Question 16

How does natural selection lead to evolution

Answer 16

Helpful variations may gradually accumulate in a species while unfavorable ones may disappear

Question 17

What term refers to a species creating more offspring that can survive

Answer 17

Overproduction

Question 18

What is the difference between a mold and a cast

Answer 18

Mold – a hollow space in sediment in the shape of an organism or part of an organism
Cast– A copy of the shape of the organism that made the mold

Question 19

In sedimentary rock where are the oldest fossils found

Answer 19

Bottom

Question 20

What is the first span of time in the geologic time scale

Answer 20

Precambrian

Question 21

Define the word species

Answer 21

A group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring

Question 22

In what type of rock are most fossils formed

Answer 22

Sedimentary

Question 23

Define the term half-life

Answer 23

The time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay of a radioactive element

Question 24

How is a scientific theory different from the term theory used everyday conversation

Answer 24

Scientific – well tested concept that is generally accepted as true
Theory – guess

Question 25

What is a mass extinction

Answer 25

When many types of organisms become extinct at one time

Question 26

What could cause a mass extinction

Answer 26

Climate change, astroid, volcanic eruptions