The Great Fossil FindHeidi Kavanagh, Samantha Mercer & Jamie Walters

Outline for todays class:

● A walk through time (40 minutes)■ Story time!■ Group activity■ Worksheets■ Discover terms

● Conclusion and Evaluation (5-10 minutes)

• Fossil Record: Remains and traces of past life found in sedimentary rock, which has layers that correspond to time periods. The fossil record reveals the history of life on earth and the kinds of organisms that were alive in the past.

• Evolution: The relative change in the characteristics of populations that occurs over successive generations.

• Comparative Anatomy: The study of similarities and difference in the anatomy of different species.

Useful Terms

● Comparative Anatomy: The study of similarities and difference in the anatomy of different species.

● Homologous structures: Body parts in different species that have the same evolutionary origin but differ in structure and function. Example, wing vs. arm bones

● Analogous Structures: Body parts in different species that have similiar funtion but evolved seperately. Example, pengin fins vs. dolphin fins

● Vestigial structures: Body parts that were functional in a species’ ancestors, yet appears to have no current function. Example, pelvic bone in whales.

Useful Terms

Scaphognathus

crassirostris

Conclusions and Questions