Which of the following statements best explains how fossils provide evidence that species may be changing over time?

• A. Fossils are identical to modern species, indicating no change over time.
• B. Fossils show a progression of species with slight modifications over time.
• C. Fossils only show extinct species, not changes in existing ones.
• D. Fossils are randomly distributed and do not show any pattern of change.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of fossils in studying evolutionary biology. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past, found in sedimentary rock layers.
2. Recognize that fossils provide a historical record of life on Earth, allowing scientists to trace the development and changes in species over time.
3. Identify that the progression of fossils in different geological layers can show gradual changes in species, supporting the theory of evolution.
4. Consider that fossils can show transitional forms, which are species that exhibit traits common to both an ancestral group and its derived descendant group, indicating evolutionary change.
5. Conclude that the statement 'Fossils show a progression of species with slight modifications over time' best explains how fossils provide evidence of species changing over time, as it aligns with the concept of gradual evolutionary change.