Explore Evolution: Fossils

Question 1

The meanings of Evolution

Answer 1

#1 Change over time
#2 Universal Common Descent
#3 Mechanism of Change: Natural Selection acting on random chance

Question 2

How we explore the history of life:

Answer 2

Draw conclusions about past events based on present facts and compare competing theories

Question 3

What is a fossil?

Answer 3

Remains of an organism preserved in sediment

Question 4

Cambrian explosion

Answer 4

Sudden appearance of most animal body plans (phyla) in the fossil record during the Cambrian period of geologic time