Mystery Fossils Lab:
Directions: Use the Dichotomous key below to help you answer questions for Mystery Fossil #1 and 2.
Directions: Use the Dichotomous key below to help you answer questions for Mystery Fossil #1 and 2.
Mystery Fossil #1
The fossil seen above was discovered in China in 2004, and was radiometrically dated to 525 million years old the Cambrian Period. The organism was soft bodied and about 5-10cm-long (2-4 inches). It had a flattened body and horizontal fins which researchers think, could have been used to support it as it moved along the sea floor. It also had well developed senses, including a pair of eyes on stalks. This organism is clearly and animal, but it does not fit easily in any known phylum of animals (alive or extinct).
A. Create a list of physical features that you see in the fossil (or artistic representation of it).
B. Use the dichotomous key and the List of Phyla for Kingdom to determine which phylum you think this organism belonged to. One option is to decide it does not belong to any of the phylum’s listed. Look up any vocabulary words you do not recognize in the key or in your research.
C. As a group, write one clear paragraph explaining which phylum you selected and why. You should have a topic sentence (first sentence) that presents a clear scientific opinion no what phylum this fossil belongs to. You should also provide at least three pieces of evidence to support your views.
Mystery Fossil #2
A. Create a list of physical features that you see in the fossil (or artistic representation of it).
B. Use the dichotomous key and the List of Phyla for Kingdom to determine which phylum you think this organism belonged to. One option is to decide it does not belong to any of the phylum’s listed. Look up any vocabulary words you do not recognize in the key or in your research.
C. As a group, write one clear paragraph explaining which phylum you selected and why. You should have a topic sentence (first sentence) that presents a clear scientific opinion no what phylum this fossil belongs to. You should also provide at least three pieces of evidence to support your views.
Mystery Fossil #2
A. Create a list of physical features that you see in the fossil (or artistic representation of it).
B. Use the dichotomous key and the List of Phyla for Kingdom to determine which phylum you think this organism belonged to. One option is to decide it does not belong to any of the phylum’s listed. Look up any vocabulary words you do not recognize in the key or in your research.
C. As a group, write one clear paragraph explaining which phylum you selected and why. You should have a topic sentence (first sentence) that presents a clear scientific opinion no what phylum this fossil belongs to. You should also provide at least three pieces of evidence to support your views.
Conclusion:
A. Biological classification, like all science, goes through a constant process of revision. As new data becomes available we must revise our hypotheses. When radically new fossils are discovered it is sometimes necessary to redefine taxonomic groups or create new ones. Click here to read one group of experts opinions on Fossil #1. How was the experts group's opinions similar and different from your groups?
B. Click here to read expert opinions on Fossil #2. How as the experts group's opinions similar and different from your groups?
B. Use the dichotomous key and the List of Phyla for Kingdom to determine which phylum you think this organism belonged to. One option is to decide it does not belong to any of the phylum’s listed. Look up any vocabulary words you do not recognize in the key or in your research.
C. As a group, write one clear paragraph explaining which phylum you selected and why. You should have a topic sentence (first sentence) that presents a clear scientific opinion no what phylum this fossil belongs to. You should also provide at least three pieces of evidence to support your views.
Conclusion:
A. Biological classification, like all science, goes through a constant process of revision. As new data becomes available we must revise our hypotheses. When radically new fossils are discovered it is sometimes necessary to redefine taxonomic groups or create new ones. Click here to read one group of experts opinions on Fossil #1. How was the experts group's opinions similar and different from your groups?
B. Click here to read expert opinions on Fossil #2. How as the experts group's opinions similar and different from your groups?