How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

In this lesson, we are going to learn how fossils are formed and how they provide evidence for the theory of evolution. We will learn what the fossil record is and why there are parts missing from the record. In this lesson, you will need a piece of paper and a pencil.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

For all of the questions below choose a word to complete the sentence.

Q1.Not all individuals of a species are exactly the ________. There are variations between them.

opposite same best

1/6

Q2.The individuals of a species who are best ___________ to their environment are most likely to survive.

adapted known hunters

2/6

Q3.These individuals are more likely reproduce and pass their useful adaptations onto their _____________.

environment offspring prey

3/6

Q4.Individuals that were poorly adapted are less likely to __________.

survive be happy

4/6

Q5.Over time, the characteristic that make survival more likely become more common and a species gradually __________.

stays the same evolves

5/6

Q6.Given enough time, these small changes can add up to the extent that a new _________ can evolve altogether.

species set of characteristics

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

For all of the questions below choose a word to complete the sentence.

Q1.Not all individuals of a species are exactly the ________. There are variations between them.

opposite same best

1/6

Q2.The individuals of a species who are best ___________ to their environment are most likely to survive.

adapted known hunters

2/6

Q3.These individuals are more likely reproduce and pass their useful adaptations onto their _____________.

environment offspring prey

3/6

Q4.Individuals that were poorly adapted are less likely to __________.

survive be happy

4/6

Q5.Over time, the characteristic that make survival more likely become more common and a species gradually __________.

stays the same evolves

5/6

Q6.Given enough time, these small changes can add up to the extent that a new _________ can evolve altogether.

species set of characteristics

6/6

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

Don't worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Q1.Which of these is the last step in the fossilisation process?

The fossil is exposed at the Earth's surface An animals skeleton is buried by sediment The skeleton dissolves and a mould is formed

1/4

Q2.What is the fossil record?

a characteristic that helps an organisms to survive in its environment A collection of fossils found across different ages of rock the process by which living things gradually change over time

2/4

Q3.If fossils are deeper down in rock are the newer or older fossils?

newer fossils older fossils

3/4

Q4.Which of these is NOT a reason that parts of the fossil record are missing.

In the rock cycle some rocks that contain fossils are destroyed. Some organisms don't have bones. Some organisms decompose before they are covered by sediment.

4/4

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

Don't worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Q1.Which of these is the last step in the fossilisation process?

The fossil is exposed at the Earth's surface An animals skeleton is buried by sediment The skeleton dissolves and a mould is formed

1/4

Q2.What is the fossil record?

a characteristic that helps an organisms to survive in its environment A collection of fossils found across different ages of rock the process by which living things gradually change over time

2/4

Q3.If fossils are deeper down in rock are the newer or older fossils?

newer fossils older fossils

3/4

Q4.Which of these is NOT a reason that parts of the fossil record are missing.

In the rock cycle some rocks that contain fossils are destroyed. Some organisms don't have bones. Some organisms decompose before they are covered by sediment.

4/4

Lesson summary: How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

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The next lesson in Humans and animals over time is "What are the different animal kingdoms?"

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