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How can scientists use the fossil record to provide evidence that evolution of organisms has occurred over time?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Using methods such as radioactive dating, scientists can determine the approximate age of a fossil or the rock in which it was found. Utilizing this knowledge of approximate age, scientists can compare progressive fossils, and identify changes. Changes are often minimal, and sometimes organisms do not change at all for large amounts of time, making comparative analysis of fossils a tedious task.
Some eras produced better fossils than others. This can have several causes, such as particularly prolific habitation of environments that more easily produce fossils, general population booms, certain mass extinction events, and even happenstance. Because some eras produce better or more fossils, and some produce few to almost none, the fossil record can sometimes falter. In such cases, scientific investigations may be forced to fill in blanks between species using genetic analysis of preceding and proceeding species or groups within species, if the fossil(s) contain(s) any remaining genetic material. In other cases, computers will be used to recreate images of the species based on fossils, and identify progression between species. In any case, the fossil record is often used as a base off of which to obtain or recreate further information about an organism's evolutionary history.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agothe fossil record tells you what relative age the fossils were once before and what the new fossils ages are today.
melinda pack
. It shows how organisms change over time.
Anonymous
It shows how organisms change over time
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What is cuvier theory of evolution?
Cuvier believed there was no evidence for the evolution of organic forms but there was evidence for succeeding creations after the catastrophic extinction events. But in the course of history, he said, catastrophic events had killed off all members of some species, and their fossils would no longer be seen in the rocks. Later, he believed the old species were replaced by new ones that repopulated Earth. Like many other scientists of his day, Cuvier spoke about the theory of catastrophism. This theory was based on the statement that there have been violent and sudden natural catastrophes such as great floods and other very sudden physical changes to the earth. Organisms that were living in those areas where these sudden, violent changes had occurred were often killed and replaced by new life forms moving in from other geographic areas. The fossil record of this type of area would show rapid changes in species.
What question did both Lamarck and Darwin try to answer with their theories of evolution?
What is the mechanism that causes evolution. Both knew evolution occurred and occurs but did not know how or why. Lamark's " desire to evolve " and " acquired characteristics " failed to explain evolution. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was the better explanation.
How did the continental shift theory affect evolution?
The ultimate allopatric ( geographic ) speciation. If you had a population of quite similar organisms in a area that split the population into two or more populations when continental drift occurred you would have different mutations and changing environments putting selective pressure on two or more populations now.
What Theorized that evolution occurred through the use and disuse of physical features- now proven to be a false concept?
lemarck, jean baptiste
When did abundant fossil evidence first appear in the geologic record?
The first abundant fossil evidence first appeared during the Paleozoic Era. It was the first era of the Phanerozoic Eon, which occurred 540 million years ago.
When did scientists believe that chemical evolution occurred?
Scientists have believed that chemical evolution occurred about 4 billion years ago, shortly after the formation of the Earth. This process is thought to have led to the development of the first life forms on our planet.
Why is DNA the weakest evidence of evolution?
Actually, it is the strongest evidence for evolution. Without one fossil we would know from the DNA evidence that evolution has occurred and is occurring. It is in the DNA of organisms that we see the strongest evidence for common ancestry. The products of those genes are sometimes highly conserved down the ages. Ribosomes, the workbenches on which proteins are made, differ hardly at at between you and pets.
What are types of evidence that suggest that evolution has occurred?
The two types are Dna, and fossils
When did scientist believe chemical evolution occur?
Scientists believe that chemical evolution occurred around 3.5 billion years ago.
What are two types of evidence that suggest that evolution has occurred?
The two types are Dna, and fossils
What two types of evidence that suggest that evolution has occurred?
The two types are Dna, and fossils
What evidence do scientists use to prove that evolution has occurred?
Simple example. You know hair color is under genetic control. Two types, blond ( which is recessive ) and brown ( which is dominant ) exist in our population. These two alleles are in a 75% to a 25% frequency. ( dominant to recessive ) if that frequency changed to 60% to 40% you could say that evolution had taken place. Evolution is the change in allele frequency in a population of organisms over time. ( example very simplified ) PS Scientist do not prove things. They support their work with the evidence.
What field of scienWhere do scientists believe chemical evolution occurred?
toyota supra and hayden copes hair duuuuuuuude
What type of evidence sHow is that evolution has occurred?
Fossils show the past history, bacteria and viruses show that it's still active.
Where do scientists believe evolution occurred?
Probably in tidal pools.
Why are we still piecing together how human evolution occurred?
Because it occurred over very long periods of time and the fossil evidence, like all fossil evidence, is not the best. Also many of the Homo genus are extinct and no genetic analysis can follow all the branches of human evolution. It is rather coming on the scene of a crime that was committed twenty years ago. The trail is rather cold and needs much working over to find the evidence needed.
What is mirco evolution?
micro evolution refers as evolution occurred during biochemical synthesis in primitive earth as for evolution of essential micro and bio molecules.
