Learning from the Fossil Record
Grade 8 Science
Name: Tyler B
Date: 5-11-11
Related Organisms Web Quest
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click on link http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/Trex/index.html
Click on Student Start
Follow the directions to go through the web quest.
During or when finished with the web quest complete Parts A, B, and C below.
PART A
1. What is a cladogram?
A diagram that compares lineages and common ancestors of living things
2. Draw a cladogram with a frog, cow and horse correctly placed.
Frog
Cow
Horse
3. Please circle the answer that best completes this statement: A "common ancestor" is:
a. one that is very commonly seen in the fossil record.
b. one that is shared by two or more organisms.
c. one that has no distinguishing features and is therefore very "common."
4. Read the following statements then answer the question below.
A. All organisms inherit their features from their ancestors.
B. Organisms resemble their most recent ancestors more closely than distant ancestors.
C. Over time evolution occurs and new features appear.
Which of these statements are accurate?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A and C.
B and C.
All of the above.
None of the above.
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Learning from the Fossil Record
Grade 8 Science
Name: Tyler B
Date: 5-11-11
5. Examine the following diagram and the statements that follow.
Statements:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Crocodiles are more closely related to squirrels than to frippities.
Frippities share a more recent ancestor with Triceratops than with Pigeons.
Frippities probably laid eggs.
All of these animals share the same ancestor.
Which of the statements are accurate?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A and C.
B and D.
C and D.
A, B, C, and D.
PART B
Examine the questions below. For at least two of the questions:
1. Decide if it is possible to answer the question with the data provided (the cladogram and data
tables).
2. If it is not possible, what information is needed to be able to answer the question?
3. If it is possible, what kind of hypothesis would you make? What is the evidence for your
statement? In your justification, make sure that you include information about common
ancestors and shared inherited features. What other evidence would you look for that would
support or refute your hypothesis?
Questions:

Did T. rex have an amniotic egg?
Yes, T-rex had amniotic eggs because the common ancestor of all 3 had amniotic eggs.
This means that the trait was passed to the T-rex, the caiman, and the parrot

Did T. rex have color vision?
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Learning from the Fossil Record
Grade 8 Science
Name: Tyler B
Date: 5-11-11
Yes, T-rex had color vision because the common ancestor of all 3 had color vision. This means
that the trait was passed to the T-rex, the caiman, and the parrot as well as the amniotic eggs.
The information below will assist with this assignment.
Cladogram
Below is a simple cladogram indicating the proposed relationship among the caiman, parrot, and T. rex.
Additional data
This data table indicates the presence or absence of eleven additional features for the caiman and the
parrot. Notice that the information about the T. rex has not been filled in. You will need to make that
determination based upon what you have learned.
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Learning from the Fossil Record
Grade 8 Science
Name: Tyler B
Date: 5-11-11
PART C
Answer this question in RASE format.
How can we use fossils to understand if two or more organisms are related?
We can use fossils to understand if two or more organisms are related by looking at the structure
and function of the animals and what they were like when they died. Bone structures and layouts
show what the animal would have been shaped like. On the flip side, certain behaviors that were
being carried out while the animal died, such as protecting its kin or being alone, can give clues as
to the mannerisms of animals. For example, if the bone structure of a small, land-based creature is
similar to that of a bunny, it can be assumed that the bunny may have descended from that
creature. Likewise, if another animal which is similar to a bunny is found to have much different
traits and behavior than the two established rabbits, it is not as closely related to those two
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Learning from the Fossil Record
Grade 8 Science
Name: Tyler B
Date: 5-11-11
rabbits. Thus, the relationships between organisms can be shown by examining their structure,
function, and behavior.
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