The table below shows the distribution of three distinct index fossils (, , and ) found within four undisturbed sedimentary rock strata (Layer 1 being the lowermost and oldest, and Layer 4 being the uppermost and youngest):
| Rock Layer | Fossils Present |
|---|---|
| Layer 4 (Top) | Fossil |
| Layer 3 | Fossil , Fossil |
| Layer 2 | Fossil , Fossil |
| Layer 1 (Bottom) | Fossil |
Based on the law of superposition and paleontology principles, which of the following deductions regarding the evolutionary timeline of these organisms is correct?
- Fossil represents the oldest ancestral organism, while Fossil evolved most recently in the geological timeline.Cevap
- BFossil is the oldest organism because individuals in upper strata accumulated somatic changes through environmental use and disuse over time.
- CFossils and represent analogous structures that evolved simultaneously within the same geological period.
- DFossil represents a discontinuous genetic variation of Fossil that appeared spontaneously in all rock layers.
Cevap
Fossil represents the oldest ancestral organism, while Fossil evolved most recently in the geological timeline.
The law of superposition dictates that in undisturbed sedimentary rock sequences, the deepest layer (Layer 1) is the oldest and the uppermost layer (Layer 4) is the youngest. Because Fossil is found in Layer 1, it represents the earliest organism in the record. Fossil , occurring in Layer 4, represents the most recently evolved organism.
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Evidence for Evolution: Paleontology and Fossil Records
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