Question

i. plate tectonics theory: the ______ of earth’s continental and oceanic ____ have caused changes in ____, mountains and deep ocean trenches to form and continually change the ______ of earth’s crust throughout time
ii. natural processes and human activities result in ________ changes

1. if all of the organisms within a species are unable to adapt to an environmental change, the species will become ________.

i. extinction - when all of the organisms within a ________ die in a relatively short period of time.
ii. most species that have lived on the earth are now extinct

1. some organisms that lived long ago are ________ to currently existing organisms, but some are quite different
2. extinction of organisms is apparent in the ________.
3. theory of evolution: the theory that ______, caused by the natural selection of advantageous traits for survival in a ______ environment; this theory also proposes that all organisms evolved from a common ancestor(s)

i. as random genetic mutations occur within an organism’s genetic code, ________ mutations are passed on to the next generation
iii. scientists who studied ________
a. gregor mendel “________”
i. studied how traits were passed from one generation to the next in pea plants.
b. charles ______ “father of ______”
i. studied how organisms within a species change when they move to new ________.
ii. traveled to the ______ and observed natural selection at work when he studied the ______, finches, and tortoises.
iv. proof that organisms change over time
a. ______ - prove that the types of ______ have changed throughout history (example - dinosaurs).
b. ______ - prove that the earth’s ______ time, which impacts the environments in which organisms live (example - there are sea shell fossils in the rocks on mt. everest).
c. ______ - when scientists drill into polar ice caps, there is evidence that the ______ throughout earth’s history. climate change impacts the environment in which organisms live (example - ocean temperature being raised as a result of global warming impacts the organisms living in the ocean).
evidence of evolutionary descent

Explanation:

i. Plate Tectonics Theory

The Plate Tectonics Theory explains that the movement of Earth’s continental and oceanic plates have caused changes in landforms (like mountains and deep ocean trenches) to form and continually change the structure of Earth’s crust throughout time.

Natural processes (e.g., erosion, volcanic activity) and human activities (e.g., deforestation, pollution) result in environmental changes (affecting ecosystems, climate, land, etc.).

If a species cannot adapt to environmental change, it will become extinct (no remaining organisms of that species).

Answer:

movement; plates; landforms; structure

ii. Natural processes and human activities result in ______ changes