Science Chapter 7
“Changes over Time”
species
fossil
mold
cast
habitat
extinct
prokaryote
eukaryote
natural selection
binomial nomenclature
adaption
petrified fossil
punctuated equilibria
branching tree diagram
comparative anatomy
overproduction of a species
evolution
scientific theory
trace fossil
paleontologist
classification
taxonomy
shared derived characteristic
homologous structures
variation
gradualism
genus
Know the 2 factors that cause evolution and diversity of organisms
Know how genetic variation and environmental factors work together to cause natural selection
Know the reasoning Charles Darwin used in reaching his conclusion that natural selection is the mechanism of evolution
Know which traits natural selection can impact
What 3 important observations did Darwin make on his voyage?
Know what Darwin inferred from his observations of organisms in South America and the Galapagos Islands
Know what Darwin concluded about the organisms on the Galapagos Islands
How did Darwin account for the diversity of species and the differences between similar species?
How does natural selection lead to evolution?
How does selective breeding support Darwin’s theory of evolution?
Know the role of genes in evolution
Know how changes in an environment could affect the survival of a species
Know what evidence scientists have found to support the theory of evolution
Know how fossils form
Know the 4 types of fossils and how each is formed
What 4 categories of information can scientists learn from fossils?
Know how scientists use comparative anatomy to study evolution
Know how proteins and DNA are used to compare organisms
Know how sediments help fossils form
Know how the age of a fossil relates to how deep in the ground it is found
Know which fossil type does NOT form in sediment
Know the factors that contributed to the diversity of species
Know how new species form
Know how scientists infer evolutionary relationships among species
Know the causes of extinction for a species
Know the mnemonic phrase for classification of species
Know WHY scientists organize living things into groups
Know what the classification level indicate about an organism’s relationship with other organisms
Know the characteristics used to classify organisms into domains and kingdoms (what are domain categories and what are the
kingdom categories)
Know what a scientific name consists of
Know why scientists use a branching tree diagram
Know how branching tree diagrams show evolutionary relationships
Know the “theory of punctuated equilibria” and the “theory of gradualism”
California State Standards: Evolution
3. Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many
generations. As a basis for understanding this concept:
a. Students know both genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and diversity of
organisms.
b. Students know the reasoning used by Charles Darwin in reaching his conclusion that natural selection is the
mechanism of evolution.
c. Students know how independent lines of evidence from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provide
the bases for the theory of evolution.
d. Students know how to construct a simple branching diagram to classify living groups of organisms by shared derived
characteristics and how to expand the diagram to include fossil organisms.
e. Students know that extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are
insufficient for its survival.
Earth and Life History (Earth Sciences)
4. Evidence from rocks allows us to understand the evolution of life on Earth. As a basis for understanding this concept:
e.
Students know fossils provide evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed.