Earth's Biological History

5 Written Questions

1. the middle era of Earth's geological history; reptiles were dominant
2. the era of present day Earth; diversity of life forms increased
3. no specific age in years is implied - a comparison of older and younger
4. a trait or behavior that helps an organism to survive and reproduce
5. a fossil impression in a rock, consisting only of a thin carbon deposit / imprint in the rock

5 Matching Questions

1. Epochs
2. Mold fossil
3. Variations
4. Trace fossils
5. Preserved fossil

1. a fossilized tracks and other evidence of animal activity
2. b a fossil that forms when the organisms or parts of organisms are prevented from decaying by being trapped in ice, tar, or amber
3. c the subdivision of periods during the Cenozoic era
4. d differences within species based on traits
5. e a cavity in a rock that has the shape of the organism that was trapped there

5 Multiple Choice Questions

1. the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, usually more than 10,000 years ago
   1. Cast fossil
   2. Fossil
   3. Mold fossil
   4. Eras
2. fossils formed from species that existed on Earth for short periods of time, were abundant, and were widespread geographically
   1. Mold fossil
   2. Index fossils
   3. Trace fossils
   4. Cast fossil
3. organisms in a particular environment that are adapted to living conditions there - are more likely to survive there
   1. Periods
   2. Adaptation
   3. Populations
   4. Variations
4. plant or animal remains that have been petrified or "turned to rock" when minerals soak in, replace the remains, and harden
   1. Trace fossils
   2. Preserved fossil
   3. Periods
   4. Petrified remains
5. a type of fossil formed when an earlier fossil in rock is dissolved away, leaving behind the impression of that fossil, and new sediment or minerals enter the mold
   1. Mold fossil
   2. Cast fossil
   3. Trace fossils
   4. Fossil

5 True/False Questions

1. Extinct / Extinction → the natural process by which some organisms survive and reproduce because they have traits favorable to survival in an environment, while others die out because they lack those traits

   True        False

2. Quaternary period → the present period of geologic time

   True        False

3. Species → the subdivision of eras based on life existing at the time and on geologic events

   True        False

4. Cambrian period → the first period of geologic time

   True        False

5. Eras → rock layers

   True        False