The following questions are based on the description below.
A student encounters an animal embryo at the eight-cell stage. The four smaller cells that comprise one hemisphere of the embryo seem to be rotated 45 degrees and lie in the grooves between larger, underlying cells (spiral cleavage).
-If the current molecular evidence regarding animal origins is well substantiated in the future, then what will be True of any contrary evidence regarding the origin of animals derived from the fossil record?
A)The contrary fossil evidence will be seen as a hoax.
B)The fossil evidence will be understood to have been incorrect because it is incomplete.
C)The fossil record will henceforth be ignored.
D)Phylogenies involving even the smallest bit of fossil evidence will need to be discarded.
E)Only phylogenies based solely on fossil evidence will need to be discarded.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The passage does not mention anything about the validity or reliability of fossil evidence for determining animal origins. Therefore, there is no reason to dispute or discredit fossil evidence based on the current molecular evidence. However, if future evidence contradicts current molecular evidence, then it may lead to a reassessment of previous interpretations of the fossil record. In this scenario, it is possible that the fossil evidence may be deemed incorrect because it was based on incomplete information or because it did not account for the molecular evidence. Therefore, option B is the best answer as it acknowledges the possibility of new evidence changing our understanding of the fossil record, without discrediting it altogether.

The Following Questions Are Based on the Description Below