Evidence (Evolution)

Question 1

What are paleontologists?

Answer 1

scientists who study fossils to learn about the past and compare features of species
use fossils to determine how a species has evolved

Question 2

what are fossils?

Answer 2

preserved remains/traces of plants/animals. other organisms

ex. teeth, bones, impressions, leaves

Question 3

Organisms that are hard to study the evolution of

Answer 3

bacteria

Question 4

rock layers

Answer 4

generally the deeper the fossil is, the older it is

Question 5

the fossil record

Answer 5

fossils and the order in which they appear

helps to determine how a species has evolved, divided and gone extinct

Question 6

radiometric dating

Answer 6

method used by geologists to determine the age of rocks and fossils
measures the rate of decay of radioactive materials

Question 7

oldest known rocks

Answer 7

4-5 billion years old

Question 8

oldest know fossils

Answer 8

3-4 billion years old

Question 9

reasons why the top layer of rock isn’t always the youngest

Answer 9

folding, breaking and uplifting of layers

Question 10

vestigial structures

Answer 10

structures that no longer serve a purpose and slowly disappear
support the theory of evolution through natural selection

Question 11

vestigial structures in humans

Answer 11

ear muscles
appendix
coccyx
some argue that the pinky finger is vestigial

Question 12

vestigial structures in ostriches and penguins

Answer 12

wings- they don’t fly

Question 13

vestigial structures in whales

Answer 13

pelvic bones but no rear legs to use them

Question 14

vestigial structures in mole rats

Answer 14

eyes

Question 15

similarities in genetic material between all organisms

Answer 15

if all life on earth evolved from a single cell, all organisms share some similarities in genetic material

Question 16

genetic traits

Answer 16

inherited from parents or parental lines

determined by genes of an organism