Biodiversity & Fossils Study
Guide
1. What are the 2 characteristics that scientist
compare to prove organisms have common
ancestors? Skeletal Structures and DNA
Molecules
2. Define relative dating. A method of examining a
fossil’s position within rock layers to estimate its
age.
3. Define absolute dating. A method that
measures the age of fossils or rocks in years. In
absolute dating, scientists examine atoms.
4. What is the geologic column? An ideal
sequence of rock layers that contains all of the
known fossils and rock formations on Earth,
arranging layers from oldest to youngest.
5. Define fossil. The remains or physical evidence
of an organism preserved by geologic processes.
6. Define cast/ cavity. An object that is created
when sediment fills a mold and becomes rock.
7. Define mold. A cavity in rock where a plant or
animal was buried.
8. What does it mean if you find fossil A in a
rock layer above the rock layer that you find
fossil B? that fossil B is older than fossil A
9. Define pollution. An unwanted change in the
environment caused by substances, such as
wastes, or forms of energy, such as radiation.
10. Define pollutant. Anything that causes pollution.
11. What are the 5 main kinds of pollutants?
Garbage - This trash often goes to a landfill.
Chemicals - The same chemicals that help
people may harm the environment.
High-Powered Wastes - Nuclear power plants
produce radioactive wastes.
Gases – Due to more human technologies, such
as cars, more CO2 is in the atmosphere
Noise - affects your ability to hear and think
clearly, and it may damage your hearing.
12. What is the difference between renewable
and nonrenewable resources? A renewable
resource is one that can be replaced at the same
rate at which the resource is used. A
nonrenewable resource is one that cannot be
replaced or that can be replaced only over
thousands or millions of years.
13. Define biodiversity. The number and variety
of organisms in a given area during a specific
period of time.
14. How does habitat destruction affect
biodiversity? If a habitat is damaged or
destroyed, biodiversity is lost.