Download KEYStudy Guide Evolution Test 2016

Name:_______________________________Period:_____Date:__________
Evolution Unit Test Study Guide
5 points
Due ___________________
The following is a list of vocabulary for which you are responsible on this test. What can you do to
work with these terms? Create your own flashcards. Make Frayer diagrams.
Acquired trait
Inherited trait
Variation
Speciation
Element
Fault
Extant
Evolution
Fossil
Paleontology
Common
ancestor
Observation
Natural
Mutation
selection
Relative
Specimen
Age
Index fossil Radioactive
decay
Extinction
Endangered
species
Geologic
Catastrophism
time scale
Inference
Paleontologist
Gene
Adaptation
Absolute Age
Atom
Law of
Superposition
Fossil record
Biodiversity
Modern
Nebular
Hypothesis
DNA
Big Bang Theory
Scientific theory
Uniformitarianism
The following are concepts for which you are responsible on this test. You may write directly on this
sheet, on notebook paper, or type. Be sure to attach this sheet to your final study guide.
DNA
DNA
Genes
Genes
Mutations
Variations
Mutations
if good (advantageous) Adaptation
Variations
if bad (detrimental)
Speciation
Extinction
Evolution
Evolution
Multiple mutations over many generations can lead to speciation.
Genes mutate. Individuals are selected. Populations evolve.
1. What is the most widely accepted scientific explanation of the formation of our Universe? Our
Solar System?
The Big Bang Theory – theory of the formation of our Universe
Modern Nebular Hypothesis – theory of the formation of our Solar System
2. Explain the Law of Superposition. What does this Law help us determine? Explain
catastrophism and the Law of Uniformitarianism. Can you read/interpret stratigraphic
(geologic) columns?
The Law of Superposition is used to help scientists determine the relative age of rock layers
and the fossils found in these layers.
Catastrophism – theory that the Earth has been affected in the past by sudden, short-lived,
violent events, possibly worldwide in scope
Law of Uniformitarianism – the geologic principle that the same geologic processes that
operate today operated in the past to change Earth’s surface
Drill cores (stratigraphic columns) to help scientists determine the relative age of rocks.
Drill cores are drilled from the Earth’s crust using heavy machinery.
3. What do paleontologists study? What types of things fossilize? What types of different fossils
do scientists find and study? How do paleontologists use the fossil record to learn about
evolution?
Paleontologists study fossils to learn about ancient life.
Look at fossils from different time periods & different locations to learn about past life.
Name:_______________________________Period:_____Date:__________
Plant and animal remains fossilize; typically bones and teeth. Molds, casts, fossilized bone,
trace fossils
4. How is the Geologic time scale divided? What marks the beginning and end of an era? How old
is the Earth?
The Geologic time scale is divided by changes in life. The length of Geologic eras and periods
are dependent upon significant changes in life.
5. Why do we not see a lot of single-celled fossils in the fossil record?
single-celled organisms are often microscopic and made of soft-tissue.
6. What does the term “Biodiversity” or “Diversity of species” mean?
the wide variety of species within a particular environment. Biodiversity is essential to the
stability of an ecosystem.
7. What types of events (things) can lead to the extinction of a species.
Change in environment, climate change, catastrophic events
8. What is the difference between observations and inferences?
An observation is something that is gathered using our 5 senses. An inference is a conclusion
that one draws based upon things already known.
9. Put the following in order of when they evolved: amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, bacteria,
reptiles. Which came first: whales or land-dwelling mammals? How do we know?
Bacteria, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds
Land-dwelling mammals – fossil record indicates the presence of land-dwelling mammals
before there is evidence of whales. Also, whales have fins/flippers that are the remnants of
feet/legs.
10. How does Jean-Baptiste Lamarck’s theory differ from Charles Darwin’s theory?
Lamarck’s theory = Giraffe stretched neck. Neck became longer. This acquired trait was passed
to next generation (offspring). Darwin’s theory = Giraffe has a neck longer than others due to a
random genetic mutation. This mutation helps the giraffe survive and reproduce. This genetic
trait (inherited) is passed to next generation (offspring).
11. What is the significance of Darwin’s observations and writings about the finches and other
organisms from the Galapagos Islands?
Darwin noticed different species with small differences that we a good fit for the particular
environment they inhabited.
12. What causes variation in a population? What is the role of mutations in evolution?
A genetic error, known as a mutation is responsible for variation within a population.
Mutations (random errors) in genes will lead to variation within a species. Individuals with
beneficial variations, also known as adaptations, are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass
on the trait. These individuals are “naturally selected” and multiple mutations over many
generations can lead to speciation. Speciation occurs when organisms within a species have so
many variations that they are no longer able to reproduce and produce fertile offspring and
therefore are a different species.
13. What is a trade-off?
A trade-off is a consequence to a decision. Something given up when another decision is made.
14. What traits can be passed down from generation to generation? Which traits cannot?
Inherited traits are passed from generation to generation. Acquired traits cannot be passed from
generation to generation. Examples: inherited traits = hair color, eye color, # of limbs
15. What is evolution? How does speciation and extinction fit into the big picture of evolution?
Evolution is the process by which life has changed throughout the Earth’s history. The gradual
process by which the present diversity of life arose from the earliest and most primitive
organisms.
Name:_______________________________Period:_____Date:__________
16. What can you learn from DNA as it relates to the relationship between species?
Species that are more closely related than others will have similar DNA. For example, all
mammals will have DNA that is more similar than you will find between a mammal and a bird.
Cenozoic Era – began approximately 65 mya – Known as “Age of Mammals”
Quaternary – began approx. 1.6 mya – Homo sapiens appeared
Tertiary (Neogene & Paleogene) – first Hominids appeared (ancestors of humans)
Mesozoic Era – began approximately 245 mya – Kwown as “Age of Reptiles”
Cretaceous – ended approx. 65 mya when an asteroid struck Earth. Mass Extinction
Jurassic
Triassic – dinosaurs first appeared
Paleozoic Era – began approximately 544 mya (million years ago) “Explosion of Life”
Permian – ended approx. 245 mya
Carboniferous (divided into Mississippian & Pennsylvanian)
Devonian – “Age of Fishes”
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Precambrian – 4.6 bya to 5445 mya = 88% of Earth’s history
DNA
DNA
Genes
Genes
Mutations
Variations
Mutations
if good (advantageous) Adaptation
Variations
if bad (detrimental)
Speciation
Extinction
Multiple mutations over many generations can lead to speciation.
Evolution
Evolution