How do fossils provide evidence of evolutionary history?
A)Fossils provide an accurate account of the number of species that exist at any particular time.
B)Older fossils are an excellent source of DNA from which we can construct molecular phylogenies.
C)Fossils provide a record of extinct species.
D)Fossils provide complete information on extinct species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fossils provide a record of extinct species, allowing us to trace the evolution of organisms over time and understand how different species are related to each other. However, fossils do not provide complete information on extinct species, as many details about their biology and behavior cannot be preserved in the fossil record. Additionally, while fossils do give an idea of how many species existed at a given time, the record is incomplete and not all species are preserved as fossils. Finally, while some DNA can be extracted from fossils in certain circumstances, this is not a common or reliable source of evidence for constructing phylogenies.

How Do Fossils Provide Evidence of Evolutionary History