Which of the following is a component of the fossil record?

• A. Current atmospheric oxygen levels
• B. Modern animal behavior observed in the wild
• C. Impressions of ancient plants in sedimentary rock
• D. Live specimens of extinct species

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the fossil record: The fossil record is a collection of preserved remains, impressions, or traces of organisms from the past, typically found in sedimentary rock layers. It provides evidence of ancient life and helps scientists study evolutionary history.
2. Eliminate options that are unrelated to the fossil record: Current atmospheric oxygen levels and modern animal behavior observed in the wild are not preserved in rock layers or indicative of ancient life. These are contemporary observations, not part of the fossil record.
3. Focus on the correct type of evidence: Fossil records include physical evidence such as impressions, molds, casts, or preserved remains of organisms. Impressions of ancient plants in sedimentary rock fit this description as they are physical traces of past life preserved in geological formations.
4. Consider the impossibility of live specimens of extinct species: Extinct species, by definition, no longer exist in living form. Therefore, live specimens cannot be part of the fossil record.
5. Conclude that impressions of ancient plants in sedimentary rock are the correct component of the fossil record, as they represent preserved evidence of past life forms.