Goal 5: Evolution of Organisms and Landforms
1. Determine which time block is being described. Place a mark or symbol in the correct box.
Description
largest group
Eon
Era
Period
Epoch
X
boundaries marked by mass extinctions
X
blocks of time when a unique rock series was laid down
X
division of the most recent periods
X
includes the Cambrian boundary
X
billions of years long
X
hundreds of millions of years long
X
tens of millions of years long
X
several million years long
X
2. Determine which time blocks the following events occurred. Write the name of the specific time block
in the appropriate blank. All blanks will not be filled because some events are not broken down into the
same time detail.
.
Description
Humans
Eon
Phanerozoic
Era
Cenozoic
Period
Quaternary
Epoch
Holocene
Rise of
mammals
Flowering
plants
Birds
Phanerozoic
Cenozoic
Tertiary
Paleocene
Phanerozoic
Mesozoic
Cretaceous
Phanerozoic
Mesozoic
Jurassic
First dinosaurs/
mammals
First reptiles
Phanerozoic
Mesozoic
Triassic
Phanerozoic
Paleozoic
Carboniferous
First
amphibians
First insects
Phanerozoic
Paleozoic
Devonian
Phanerozoic
Paleozoic
Silurian
First fish
Phanerozoic
Paleozoic
Ordovician
Explosion of
life forms
Multi-celled
organisms
Single celled
organisms
Phanerozoic
Paleozoic
Cambrian
Precambrian
Proterozoic
Precambian
Archaean
3. Fossils form in different ways. Identify the type of fossil being described in the list below. Place the
name of the fossil type in the blank provided next to the description.
☺ Acids eat away the skeleton or shell and leave an impression in the rock →
☺ This is formed when a mold fills with minerals →
___cast____
___mold___
☺ Minerals in plant cells crystallize; minerals enter openings or cavities in shell or bones →
___pertrifaction_____
☺ Aragonite mineral in shells turns into calcite → ___recrystallization___
☺ Oils leave the plant, and the remaining matter becomes a layer of carbon; in other cases, nitrogen, hydrogen, and
oxygen are distilled from the plant →
__carbonization___
☺ Object buried in mud has its molecules replaced by minerals → __replacement_____
☺ Whole organisms locked in tar pits, asphalt, amber, etc. → __traps___
☺ Mummification, frozen in ice → __soft tissue preservation____
4. Most fossils form in ___sedimentary___ rock. The ___position___ of fossils within this type of rock
layers help scientists construct the geologic time scale.
5. Sequence the following events in the fossilization process:
___3____ Over time, the surrounding material builds up and turns to rock.
___4____ The rock above eventually erodes and the fossil is exposed.
___2____ The remains are rapidly buried by sediment in streams.
___1____ An animal dies and begins to decompose.
6. In the undisturbed rock strata illustrated below, indicate in which layer you will find the oldest and the
youngest fossils. Write the terms “oldest” and “youngest” in the appropriate strata.
______________________________________________________
A
youngest
B
C
D
oldest
The most primitive fossils normally would be found in layer _D__.
7. According to the geologic time scale, sequence the following in order of evolution. Make #1 the most
primitive life form.
____8___ birds
____7___ early mammals
I meant to have two number 7s since the two
____6___ reptiles
____5___ amphibians
events in question occurred basically at the
____4___ insects
____1___ single-celled life forms
same time.
____3___ fish
____9___ flowering plants
____7___ dinosaurs
____11___ (more) modern humans
____10___ humans
____2___ early multi-celled life forms
8. Which is more precise, absolute or relative dating? WHY?
Absolute dating is more precise because it tells the actual age of a rock or fossil or how long ago and even
occurred. Absolute dating is determined using a technique called radioactive dating which is based on an
element’s half-life.
9. How is radioactive dating used to tell the age of rocks and fossils?
Radioactive dating measures the age of a material by comparing the amount of a radioactive form of an
element in a rock or fossil with the amount of its decay product.
10. In reference to item #6 above, what scientific law is begin applied to determine the answer to the
question?
The Law of Superposition
11. What are three possible exceptions to the Law of Superposition? Draw each of them and indicate in
each drawing the youngest and oldest layers.
Overturned bed – rock layers are up-ended due to some geologic event so that the youngest layer is found
at the bottom
Angular bed – the result of faulting a tilting of a rock bed which is overlaid by more layers; horizontal
rocks are younger than the tilted rocks
Intrusion – a magmatic seam is introduced into existing rock; igneous rocks are younger than any
sedimentary rocks they cut
Diagrams of the above unconformities are found on page 243 in NC End-of-Grade Science Coach
12. Why are fossils important tools for understanding the history of life on Earth?
The fossil record shows how species have changed over time and how different species relate to one
another.
13. When is an organism considered extinct?
An organism is extinct when it is no longer found living on Earth.
14. In the following list, circle the data about a long-dead organism that can be determined by fossils:
weight
size
odor
diet
# offspring
birthdate
height
disease history
Answers are red
15. What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the age of related strata?
An index fossil is the fossil of an organism that existed for only a short period of time. Relatively
accurately identifies a time frame for surrounding strata.
16. How do ice cores allow scientists to determine Earth climate changes over time? (Hint: what two
things about Earth can be determined from ice cores?)
Ice cores are laid down in the same basic manner as sedimentary rock, with the youngest layers at the top
and the oldest at the bottom. Each layer records the gases present in the atmosphere at the time of
deposition as well as the elements that existed in Earth’s water. These characteristics can provide
scientists with clues about climate changes over time.
17. If you found fossils of seashells in a rock layer near the top of a mountain, what would the fossils tell
you about the history of that area?
It would indicate that the area had been close to the ocean or completely covered by the ocean in the past.
18. When sudden, abrupt changes (or gradual changes, for that matter) occur within an organism’s
habitat, one of three things must happen (the organism’s species must do one of three things). What?
1. adapt/evolve
2. move to another area/migrate
3. die/become extinct
19. What are two ways the extinction of an animal can affect the ecosystem in which it lives?
1. if the extinct organism was food for other animals, they will not thrive because of reductions in food
resources
2. if the extinct organism competed with other organisms for food resources then the survivors will thrive
due to less prey consumption
20. Scientists estimate that of all the species ever to exist on earth, ___99_____ % have become extinct.
21. The average species survives __2___ to __10___ million years.
22. List at least 8 events that can bring about the extinction of a species.
1. increase/decrease in temperature
2. increase/decrease in rainfall
3. volcanic eruption
4. earthquake
5. flooding/drought
6. shifting land or sea
7. change in food supply
8. new predator or disease
23. Answer the following questions about mass extinctions:

what is a mass extinction?
occurs when large numbers of species die out in a fairly short period of time

are they a common occurrence in Earth’s past?
yes

how many species can face extinction?
more than 50% of species living at the time can become extinct

where do scientists obtain evidence for them?
fossil record and rock layers

what is a benefit?
as old species disappear, more resources, such as food and shelter, may become available allowing surviving species to take
advantage of these resources and increase in numbers

what is the most famous example?
the one that occurred 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs disappeared from Earth

what is believed to have caused this particular example?
generally, a climate change caused the extinction; what caused the climate change is up for debate but most scientists believe
the change was a result of an asteroid impact
24. Is the rate of extinction of species on the Earth increasing or decreasing? List some possible reasons
for this.
The rate of extinction is increasing. Human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, poaching, over
harvesting, and overgrazing are causes. Other causes include climate change and the invasion of nonnative species.
25. ___Evolution____ is a process of change over time.
26. The most accepted basic theory of evolution was first proposed in writing by _____Charles
Darwin_____ in the 19th century. He proposed what is called the ____theory of evolution by means of
natural selection___________.
27. Darwin based some of his theories on differences in the ___finch species____ he observed while in
the ___Galapagos Islands____.
28. Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection includes four main concepts:

Most organisms produce more offspring than can survive.

Organisms compete with each other for resources, such as food and living space.

Although the offspring are similar, some will have traits that make them better able to survive.
Those with favorable traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass beneficial traits on to
their offspring.

Over time, beneficial adaptations will be found in more and more individuals in the population.
The population may become so different from other populations that a new species may develop.
29. Continental drift and the evolution of landforms is partially explained by the __theory of plate
tectonics__.
30. In your own words, write a short paragraph that outlines the basic ideas behind the Theory of Plate
Tectonics. (continue over to the top of the next page for more writing space)
In 1912, German scientist Alfred Wegener observed that the continents seemed to fit together like a large
jigsaw puzzle. He theorized that at one time the continents had all been joined together into one large
super-continent called Pangaea. Wegener suggested that the supercontinent broke apart and the continents
drifted to their present locations via Continental Drift. At the time, Wegener could not propose a process
that accomplished this movement. Today continental drift and evolution of landforms can be explained by
the Theory of Plate Tectonics. This theory states that the Earth’s crust is divided into lithospheric plates
that move and change their position over long periods of time. This movement is the result of convection
cells in the Earth’s asthenosphere. The plates ride along the tops of these convection cells. Changes in the
Earth’s landforms is due to this motion as well. Mountain ranges, trenches, and other geologic features
form as a result of plate collisions as well as plates moving away from one another.
31. Fill in the following table with information about crustal plate movement on the surface of the Earth.
Boundary
Convergent
What Happens?
plates push together
Divergent
plates pull apart
Transform
plates slide past one another
Diagram
diagrams may be found on page 255 in NC End-ofGrade Science Coach
32. Compare and contrast biological, geological, and technological evolution.
The three types of evolution are the same in that they show how three different things change over time.
They all three are related to or dependent on one another; however, biological and geological are more
related. Biological evolution is changes in life on Earth over time in response to many things, particularly
changes in habitat, niche, or environment. It is often dependent on geological evolution, which is a change
in the physical structure of the Earth over time and is a direct result of plate tectonics. Technological
evolution is a change in technology in response to societal or business needs. Human behavior or
conditions (war, famine, disease, etc.) often spur technological evolution. An example of biological
evolution is speciation or adaptation to changes in the environment. Changes in the Earth’s crust such are
mountain building or the formation of a rift valley are examples of geological evolution. An example of
the evolution of technology is the change from room-sized computers to the tiny microchips of today’s
electronic devices.
33. According to Alfred Wegener’s concept of Continental Drift, pieces of Earth’s crust once were in
the form of a large super-continent called ___Pangaea_____.
34. Fill in the following table with information about crustal plate movement on the surface of the Earth.
Collision/Plates Involved
Oceanic/Oceanic
(subduction)
Geologic Features
deep canyons, ocean trenches,
volcanoes and volcanic islands such
as the Philipines
Oceanic/Continental
(subduction)
volcanic mountains such as the
Cascades
Continental/Continental
mountain chains such as the
Himalayas
35. Earthquakes may result from:
Process
Compression
Description
plates press against one another
Diagram
diagrams should basically look the same as those drawn
in # 31
similar to convergent boundaries
Shearing
plates slide past one another
similar to transform boundary
Tension
plates stretch and pull away from one another
similar to divergent boundary
36. What is a fault?
A fault is a break, or crack, in Earth’s surface along which movement has occurred.
37. The energy produced by earthquakes moves through the Earth in the form of __seismic waves___.
38. Compare and contrast lava and magma.
They are the same in that they are both molten rock. The difference comes is where they are located.
Magma is generally molten rock below the surface of the Earth and lava is molten rock above the surface.
Magma becomes lava once it comes to the surface.
39. In the table below, indicate which type of plate movement produces earthquakes and/or volcanoes.
Indicate with yes or no.
Boundary
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Intraplate
Earthquake
yes
yes
no
rare
Volcano
yes
yes
yes
rare
40. Where is the Ring of Fire? Why is it called that?
The Ring of Fire is the area that forms the outer edges, or rim, of the Pacific Ocean. It is called this
because of its high volcano and earthquake activity.
41. What is a hot spot? Give an example.
A hot spot is an area of volcanic activity in the middle of a plate. They exist in areas where no plate
boundaries exist. They are sort of like hernias in the Earth’s crust that allow magma and geothermal
activity to surface. The best example of a hot spot found in the middle of an oceanic plate is the Hawaiian
Islands. Yellowstone is an example of a hot spot located in the middle of a continental plate.
42. Provide the following information about weathering:

what is it?
the process in which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces through the action of wind, water, roots, and animals

what are two types?
mechanical and chemical weathering

___Mechanical_____ weathering breaks rocks apart without changing the chemical composition.

___Chemical ______ weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks.
43. How does water cause both chemical and mechanical weathering?
Water is an agent for mechanical weather due to the fact that is expands when it freezes. The expanding
ice breaks the rocks apart. Water is an agent of chemical weathering in that many minerals can be
dissolved into it that will react with the rock to change its chemical composition. The rock may weaken as
a result and breakdown.
44. When the Sun’s energy strikes Earth, one of three things listed below happens to it. Match the
description with the correct term.
___C____ energy is taken in by an object
A. transmitted
___A____ energy moves through the object
B. reflected
___B____ energy bounces off the object
C. absorbed
45. Energy from the sun travels to the Earth as ___electromagnetic____ waves.
46. Can EM waves travel through a vacuum (empty space, no matter)? yes
47. Together all types of EM waves make up the ___electromagnetic spectrum____.
48. EM waves differ in the amount of energy they carry and in wavelength. Place the different types of
EM waves in the table below in order of increasing energy and decreasing wavelength:
lowest energies → → → → → → →
longest wavelengths → → → → → → →
radio
microwave
infrared
visible
→ → → → highest energies
→ → → → shortest wavelengths
ultraviolet
X-rays
gamma rays
49. Complete the following table describing the different types of radiation of the EM Spectrum. Include
in you description unique facts, uses in every day life, amount of energy, whether we can see it, etc.
Category
Gamma rays
Description
highest energy radiation; damaging to cells; reflected by Earth’s atmosphere; shortest wavelength
X-rays
used for imaging of bones; high energy; damaging to cells; reflected by Earth’s atmosphere
Ultraviolet (UV)
high energy; can cause cellular damage; moderated by ozone layer
Visible
includes all colors of “rainbow”; only part of spectrum humans can “see”
Infrared
heat; all objects that generate heat give off this type of radiation; low energy
Microwave
used in microwave ovens and radar; low energy
Radio
lowest energy radiation; transmits radio signals; longest wavelength
50. Color is the result of an interaction of both ___reflection___ and ___absorption____ of light.
51. In terms of the behavior of light, why are leaves green?
Green is the light that is reflected back to your eyes by the leaf, most other colors are absorbed in varying
degrees.
52. Answer the following questions about reflectance curves.

what are they?
graphs that show how types of matter reflect visible, infrared, or other wavelengths of light

what does an upward curve on a reflectance curve graph indicate?
more of the wavelength is reflected

what does a downward curve on a reflectance curve graph indicate?
more of the wavelength is absorbed

how do scientists use them to study the surface of the Earth?
scientists use differences in reflectance to monitor different areas on Earth; satellites detect wavelengths of visible and
infrared radiation and create images of the Earth

what is this study of the reflectance of matter on Earth using satellite images called?
spectral analysis
53. In your own words, write a short paragraph describing how computers are used in spectral analysis
of the Earth’s surface.
Computers are used to read the spectral analysis images that are recorded by satellites. The computers read
the reflectance curve of an object. It matches the curve to a standard curve already programmed into the
computer. When a match is made, the computer assigns the object to a category. The computer’s data is
periodically checked to make sure that the category it has assigned makes sense. Once a bank of standard
reflectance curves is made, analysis of landforms becomes quicker and easier.
54. Compare and contrast ways visible light and infrared radiation are used in spectral analysis.
Satellite images created by spectral analysis can be either visible or infrared. Both are just as valuable.
Each type of radiation, however, is used to show different objects and surfaces. Images taken in visible
light can show different types of forestation due to the color differences. The same area may give off equal
amounts of infrared, negating its use for that purpose. Visible light analysis differentiates based on
differences in color. Infrared analysis depends more on the amount of heat given off. Different surface
features can be identified simply based on a specific infrared signature. For instance forests don’t give off
nearly as much IR radiation as asphalt parking lots.
55. How is spectral analysis used to monitor each of the following?
Forests
Used to learn about the distribution and health of forests and other types of vegetation; different types of plants
have different spectral analysis reflectance curves, as do plants in differing stages of health; deforestation can be
monitored as well using IR radiation analysis
Soils
very dry soils reflect much more visible light and IR radiation than moist soil does; scientist can use the
variations in analyses of wet and dry soils to monitor drought around the world
Water
liquid water absorbs or transmits the most radiation; impurities or plant life in water can change water’s
characteristics spectral patterns; pollution can be monitored due to these differences; snow reflects much more
light than liquid water, glacial ice less than snow; changes in snow and ice over time can help scientists monitor
the effects of temperature changes on Earth
56. Why does wet soil have lower reflectance than dry soil?
because of the water it contains; water has one of the highest levels of light absorption and transmission
57. __Maps___ are useful tools that help scientists to record the features on Earth’s surface.
___Topographic maps___ show the location and elevation of natural and artificial features of a region.
58. If you compare a topographic map from 1950 to one of the same area from 2000, what are some
differences you might see? What might be some things that have remained the same?
Accept logical answers. Some of the things that may have changed are man-made structures such as
buildings and roads. Forestation patterns may have also changed. Things that more than likely haven’t
changed are mountains and rivers (although course may have changed or they may have been dammed)
and other geological features that would take way longer than 50 years to change.
59. What is topography?
Topography is the study of Earth’s natural and artificial features by surveying and mapping; the relief
features or surface configuration of an area
60. Why is a key or legend important to include on a map?
The key gives the scale of the map and the meaning of all the symbols used to show real-life objects.
61. Complete the following table showing the use of colors in the key of most topographic maps.
Map Legend
Color
green
Feature
vegetation
blue
water
brown
contours, elevations
gray or red
developed areas, large roads
purple
new information
black
trails, roads, railroads
62. Topographic maps are two-dimensional (they only show length and width and not depth). How are
contour lines used to indicate differing elevations and changes in elevation?
Lines on the map called contours connect areas with the same elevation, much like isobars or isotherms on
a weather map. A small number printed on the line indicates elevation. The distance from one contour line
to the next is also standard on the map. Therefore, from one line to the next, you always change your
position by a standard rise in elevation. The grade or steepness of an area is indicated by how close
together contour lines are. The closer together they are, the steeper the grade.
63. Draw two examples of how contour lines are used to show slope or grade. Show a change of 500 ft.
with a contour interval (distance from one contour line to the next) of 100 ft. Draw a gentle slope and a
steep slope in the two boxes below.
Gentle
Steep
See page 272 in NC End-of-Course Science Coach
64. What is ground truthing?
Ground truthing is a way for scientists to authenticate maps that have been made of an area. Once satellite
photographs have been taken of an area, map makers may use them to make a topographic map of the
area. They will then visit the area to confirm that the maps match what was seen in the photograph and the
actual terrain of the area.
65. Define remote sensing and explain how it is used.
Remote sensing is a way of collecting information about an area without actually visiting the area. It
allows scientists to keep track of changes on Earth’s surface. By studying satellite images of different
areas over time, scientists can monitor land us in that area.
66. Explain how the following scientists and engineers can use remote sensing to do their jobs.

city planner –
can help them monitor urban sprawl and the use of city features; they monitor changes by looking at satellite images taken
in different years; helps them to predict or manage the future growth of the city and to protect natural areas

forest managers –
RS can help forest managers by tacking patterns of logging; can show how forests grow back over time; it can help forest
managers to ensure that the forests are not being cut too quickly

wildlife professionals –
can use satellite photos to identify areas of forest or open land that might be good habitat for certain types of wildlife
67. How might the wildlife professional increase their chances of learning more about animals and their
interactions within their habitats by used GPS technology in addition to remote sensing and ground
truthing?
Global positioning systems can be used together with images from remote sensing to understand how
areas are used by wildlife. Animals can be fitted with GPS tacking devices and their movements can be
monitored. Scientists can compare the movements to a satellite image of the area and make comparisons
to identify optimal habitats.