The skeletons and fossils shown in the previous illustration provide evidence for which biological process?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Photosynthesis
• C. Cellular respiration
• D. Evolution by natural selection

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the question: Skeletons and fossils are physical evidence of organisms that lived in the past. They provide insights into changes in species over time.
2. Recall the definition of evolution by natural selection: It is the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.
3. Connect fossils and skeletons to evolution: Fossils and skeletons show gradual changes in species over time, supporting the idea that species evolve through natural selection as environmental pressures shape their traits.
4. Eliminate unrelated processes: Mitosis, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration are cellular processes that do not directly explain changes in species over time or the evidence provided by fossils.
5. Conclude that the correct biological process being evidenced by skeletons and fossils is evolution by natural selection, as they demonstrate the gradual adaptation and diversification of species over time.