Section One-Test 02 (Stnd 09) V1 MOD

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Stnd 09: Fossil Record

Examine structure and function in these fossils, and think about the environments they lived in.

Multi-Select Question
Based upon your analysis of this fossil record, determine which answer or answers below are best supported by this diagram. (Select 2 of 4 choices)

a.	This record reveals changing environments with two aquatic and two terrestrial layers.
b.	Don’t Select
c.	This illustration shows that this area had four different environments over time and organisms adapted to and lived in each of these four environments.
d.	The law of superposition reminds us that the bottom layer of sedimentary rock with the clam fossil formed last, and the top layer with the fish fossil formed first.

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Three sedimentary layers were exposed in a rock quarry. The sandstone layer at the bottom contained fossils of three different types of dinosaurs. The layer above it contained mainly volcanic ash. The top layer of shale contained fossils of only one type of dinosaur.

Which of the following interpretations of this fossil record is the most logical?

a.	This sedimentary rock displays tectonic uplift which formed a shallow ocean resulting in the extinction of two out of three dinosaur species.
b.	Don’t Select
c.	A volcanic eruption caused the extinction of two dinosaur species. Only smaller variants of the third species survived but this variant prospered in the post-volcano environment.
d.	Excessive predation by carnivores caused the population of herbivores to crash which resulted in extinction of two species of dinosaurs.

Examine the fossils shown below. These were found in Oklahoma, and were determined to be from the Mesozoic Era and the following Cenozoic Era.

Based on this fossil record, what conclusions can you draw about this region?

a.	Comparing the structure of the Mesozoic Era fossils with the structure of the Cenozoic Era fossils reveals that these marine organisms evolved to become land organisms.
b.	The fossils show that both sea creatures and land animals existed at the same time in this region.
c.	Marine fossils show that an ocean once covered this area, and terrestrial fossils show that uplifting occurred which resulted in the return of land animals.
d.	Don’t Select

Examine the diagram of horse fossils.

Horse Fossils
Past to Present

Fossil evidence suggests that horse’s physical structure began changing around 55 million years ago. Fossils of forest plants have been found near the first horse fossils, but mainly grassland fossils are found near later horse fossils.
Which statement is the most logical conclusion based on this fossil evidence?

a.	Body size in horses increased in response to environmental changes
b.	Body size in horses remained unchanged because its environment stayed the same.
c.	Don’t Select
d.	Leg length in horses did not change. Only skull sizes increased.

Examine structure and function in these fossils.

Fossils in Layers of Sedimentary Rock

The fossil evidence found in these sedimentary layers reveals that...?

a.	carnivores evolved from omnivores and herbivores during the Cretaceous period.
b.	vertebrate organisms (backbones) developed after invertebrates (without backbones)
c.	land and marine animals evolved together millions of years ago in the same time period
d.	Don’t Select