How does the fossil record provide evidence for evolution?

• A. It documents changes in organisms over time, including transitional forms that link ancestral and descendant groups.
• B. It proves that traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime are directly inherited by its offspring.
• C. It demonstrates that extinction does not occur because all species persist indefinitely in stable environments.
• D. It shows that all species appeared at the same time and have remained unchanged since their origin.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the fossil record consists of preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past, found in sedimentary rock layers.
2. Recognize that fossils are arranged in a chronological order within these rock layers, allowing scientists to observe changes in organisms over geological time.
3. Identify that transitional forms in the fossil record show intermediate characteristics between ancestral and descendant species, providing evidence of gradual evolutionary change.
4. Note that the fossil record documents the appearance, modification, and extinction of species, which supports the concept that species evolve rather than remain unchanged.
5. Conclude that the fossil record supports evolution by demonstrating how organisms have changed over time and how new species have arisen from common ancestors.