Question
The graph shows how the numbers of different types of organisms have changed throughout different periods in the geologic timescale.

Which statement about the numbers of different types of organisms is not supported by the data in the graph?
A
Mass extinction events are followed by periods of an increase in organism diversity.
B
Smaller extinction events occur between periods of mass extinctions.
C
Organism diversity has been greatest in the last 100 million years.
D
The overall amount of organism diversity has decreased over time.

Which statement about the numbers of different types of organisms is not supported by the data in the graph?
A
Mass extinction events are followed by periods of an increase in organism diversity.
B
Smaller extinction events occur between periods of mass extinctions.
C
Organism diversity has been greatest in the last 100 million years.
D
The overall amount of organism diversity has decreased over time.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine which statement about the numbers of different types of organisms is **not** supported by the data in the graph, we can analyze each statement:
A. **Mass extinction events are followed by periods of an increase in organism diversity.**
- This is generally supported by paleontological data, as mass extinctions tend to be followed by diversification events.
B. **Smaller extinction events occur between periods of mass extinctions.**
- This statement is also typically supported by evidence, as there are often smaller fluctuations in diversity due to smaller extinction events occurring over geologic time.
C. **Organism diversity has been greatest in the last 100 million years.**
- If the graph shows that diversity has peaked in more recent times, this statement would be supported. If not, then it would not be.
D. **The overall amount of organism diversity has decreased over time.**
- If the graph reflects an upward trend in diversity over time, this statement would not be supported.
Without direct access to the graph, we must infer based on typical geological patterns. However, if we consider that mass extinction events generally lead to increased diversity over time and that organism diversity typically increases after each mass extinction (rather than decreases), we would expect statement D to be **not supported** if the graph shows an overall trend of increasing diversity.
Thus, the statement that is likely **not** supported by the data in the graph is:
**D. The overall amount of organism diversity has decreased over time.**
A. **Mass extinction events are followed by periods of an increase in organism diversity.**
- This is generally supported by paleontological data, as mass extinctions tend to be followed by diversification events.
B. **Smaller extinction events occur between periods of mass extinctions.**
- This statement is also typically supported by evidence, as there are often smaller fluctuations in diversity due to smaller extinction events occurring over geologic time.
C. **Organism diversity has been greatest in the last 100 million years.**
- If the graph shows that diversity has peaked in more recent times, this statement would be supported. If not, then it would not be.
D. **The overall amount of organism diversity has decreased over time.**
- If the graph reflects an upward trend in diversity over time, this statement would not be supported.
Without direct access to the graph, we must infer based on typical geological patterns. However, if we consider that mass extinction events generally lead to increased diversity over time and that organism diversity typically increases after each mass extinction (rather than decreases), we would expect statement D to be **not supported** if the graph shows an overall trend of increasing diversity.
Thus, the statement that is likely **not** supported by the data in the graph is:
**D. The overall amount of organism diversity has decreased over time.**