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4333875-857250Name: _______________________________ The Cambrian ExplosionEvolution's Big Bang! As we travel back in time when the first forms of life were slowly emerging in the primordial ocean something truly remarkable took place. Imagine that the Earth was slowly warming after a long ice age and no life whatsoever existed on land. The ocean floor was covered in a mat of slimy algae and tiny microbes began producing oxygen through photosynthesis. And then it happened, over 10,000 new species arrived including herbivores, carnivores, and predators all competing for food in this prehistoric ocean. The Cambrian Explosion had begun. In this feature, you will learn about this ancient group of organisms that first appeared long before dinosaurs, plants, insects and fish. Key Termsbody planextinctionarthropodexoskeletonanomalocarisphylumevolutionplate tectonicspikaiataxonomypredationIce AgepaleontologistBurgess ShalesedimentaryfossilizationVideo Assessment Worksheet Please answer the questions below and be sure to develop your answers carefully. You may use your notes from the YouTube video. Good luck!1)What is a paleontologist? Be specific.2)What is a fossil?3)What is the Burgess Shale and where is it located?4)Name two creatures that existed before the Cambrian Explosion?1)2)5)Creatures of the Cambrian were all focused on one important task. What was it? 6)Like many arthropods, anomalocaris had excellent eyesight. True/False?7)What exactly is an arthropod?8)Cnidarians are a large group of creatures that include sponges, corals and sea anemones. These creatures developed the ability to perform one important function. What was this function?9)Anomalocaris and opabinia were amongst the first predators. True/False?10) Canadia was a wormlike creature with many rows of bristles lining each side of its segmented body. Name two ways that this creature adapted its behavior when confronted by predators.1.2. 11) Pikaia was the first creature to possess this particular organ. What was it?12)Why are Cambrian fossils so well preserved in the Burgess Shale? Explain.13)Scientists believe that all body designs of modern day animals first originated during the Cambrian Explosion. How many body plans exist today?34194751543051.32.153.35410014)What is a notochord?15)Almost every creature on Earth can be traced back to the Cambrian Period. True/False?16)The emergence of ____________________ had a dramatic affect on animal evolution during the Cambrian Period.431736512319017)The Cambrian Period began approximately _____________ years ago.1.500,000 2.500,000,000 3.542,000,0004.440,000,00018)Describe how each of these three creatures have adapted to the arrival of Anomalcaris.1.Opabinia:2.Halluciniginia:3.Wiwaxia:19)Name five characteristics of the mantis shrimp that enable it to be a lethal predator.1.2.3.4.5.20)Exoskeletons provide two important advantages for arthropods. What are they?1.2.21)What does the word “trilobite” actually mean?22)How many species of trilobite are there?23)Trilobites have unique eyes that are made from _______________.24)The first creature to emerge onto land has a cousin living in Australia right now. What is the name of this organism?Critical Thinking EssayThe discovery of the Cambrian fossils in the Burgess Shale was a landmark event for scientists all over the world. In a relatively short period of time over 10,000 new species representing almost every known body plan emerged changing the primordial landscape forever. These unique fossils provided scientists with crucial insights into animal evolution allowing them to make connections between prehistoric creatures millions of years old and modern day organisms. But there is one important question that remains unanswered that continues to challenge paleontologists: What caused the Cambrian Explosion?Students, your assignment is to prepare an insightful and carefully researched essay outlining three important concepts featured in the video. Your three part essay should include the following: (1) Describe in detail the impact the introduction of a predator had on the Cambrian ecosystem; (2) Trilobites are considered to be one of the most successful organisms ever to have lived on Planet Earth. How were they able to accomplish this feat? (3) Based on what we know about the Mantis Shrimp what conclusions can you make about its ancestor, Anomalocaris?Successful essays will include carefully worded, supportive arguments and factual data. Your teacher will provide you with the guidelines on essay length, font size, assignment deadline etc. 306705090170Name: _________________________________ Trilobite Drawing Activity 50482538735 -590550-180975410527524130314325132080352425016700566675127635Body Plans Uncovered! Identifying an organism's body plan is a very fundamental way to classify that particular animal. During the Cambrian Explosion we discovered a variety of creatures that seemed to share similar body configurations or plans that are also found today. There are three basic plans which are outlined below.418465015240 Bilateral Symmetry If you divide an animal into two halves that result in two mirror images, a right and left half such as the butterfly, lobster or human body you have bilateral symmetry. All animals with bilateral symmetry tend to have a head and tail which allows for greater motion, the ability to develop predator/prey relationships and greater sophistication. 4124325128270 Radial Symmetry Only a few animal groups display radial symmetry but they are also easy to identify such as the sea star (right), jellyfish or coral polyp. These creatures have a top and a bottom but they have no left or ride sides or a front or back. These creatures tend to have little or no movement (sedentary), or are free floating but can also develop effective defensive mechanisms such is the case of the sea urchin. Cnidarians provide good examples of radial symmetry.4581525113030Asymmetry One of the best examples of an asymmetrical body plan is the sponge. Organisms with this body plan have no clearly defined or segmented shape and are rarely encountered in the Animal Kingdom. This body plan is usually associated with less complex creatures. They have few friends and seldom have a sense of humor.3790950-800100Name: _______________________________Matching Terms Match the definitions with their correct word or term by writing the number in the space provided. 1. sponges2. wiwaxia3. limestone4. flatworms5. canadia6. mantis shrimp7. opabinia8. trilobite9. Cnidarians10.exoskeleton11.arthropod12.Starbuck's13. predators14. hallucigenia15. Burgess Shale 16.pikaia17. sharks18. chimera19. notochord 20. calcite21. sea urchin1. This creature had five eyes and was an agile predator. _____2. These organisms were commonly found in the Pre Cambrian Ocean._____3. The name of this creature comes from a bad dream._____4. The body plan for this Cambrian creature was radial symmetry._____5. The secret to this organism's success lies in its ability to adapt._____6. Man's first ancestor may have evolved from this tiny creature._____7. Anomalocaris was one of the first examples of this group._____8. Often made from chitin._____9. Created during an underwater landslide._____10. This powerful predator has twelve color receptors._____11. This creature relied on rows of bristles for protection._____12. Members of this group have a radial symmetrical body plan._____13. Their eyes are made from this rocklike substance._____ ................
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