CHAPTER 8

TOPIC 1Study Guide

Item #1

All species of life have characteristics that help them survive and reproduce in the ______________________ in which they live. These are known as ________________________________.

environment

adaptations

Examples of human adaptationsBody form adapted to climate as in other animals• Tropical people are tall and lean to lose heat• Arctic and mountain people are short and wide to conserve heat• Pale skin adapted to vitamin D photosynthesis in dim climates

• opposable thumb. used to grasp objects, and use objects in nature for defense, housing, and hunting weapons. 

• advanced brain. used originally to build up civilization, make laws, and think about environment. 

• language - the special ability humans have using organized sounds and symbols to convey messages. 

• hair - fur was weighing us down. it was good for 1rst anthropoids. but modern humans need less weight on their body as to walk upright.

Item #2

A group of organisms that have similar characteristics and can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring are said to belong to the same ________________________. Groups of these organisms living in the same place make up a _______________________________.

species

population

Classification of living things

classification webpage

Common species of animals

• Modern humans = homo saphiens• House cats = felis catus• Domestic dogs = canis lupus familiaris

Item #3

Scientists believe that ______________________ species descend from ______________________ species. This explanation for the changes found in the fossil record is known as the theory of ____________________________.evolution

newer

older

Item #4The _____________ _____________

organizes fossils by their estimated ages and physical similarities. This record is organized chronologically and formed within layers of ____________________ that are carried by wind and water and then deposited with _________________ layers found buried deeper in the earth.

fossil record

sediments

older

The fossil record

Item #5

Thus, the fossil record provides evidence about the ____________________ in which species have existed. Scientists believe that all living species descended from common ___________________________. This evidence can be found in fossils and in living organisms.

order

ancestors

Item #6

Evidence that groups of organisms have common ancestry can be found by comparing the groups’ ____________ , _____________________ , and inherited traits. Species that have these three things in common likely share a common ancestor. The most recently evolved common ancestor to humans (in terms of these measures) is the chimpanzee.

faces of our ancestors

DNAskeletal structures