Question
A scientist has collected fossils from different rock layers. The fossils are from different organisms, but they share some common characteristics. The scientist concludes they are related.
Which fossil is most likely to represent the oldest ancestor?
Responses
the fossil from the middle rock layer
the fossil from the middle rock layer
the fossil from the uppermost rock layer
the fossil from the uppermost rock layer
the fossil from the deepest rock layer
Which fossil is most likely to represent the oldest ancestor?
Responses
the fossil from the middle rock layer
the fossil from the middle rock layer
the fossil from the uppermost rock layer
the fossil from the uppermost rock layer
the fossil from the deepest rock layer
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The fossil that is most likely to represent the oldest ancestor is **the fossil from the deepest rock layer**. In geological terms, deeper rock layers are generally older than those that are closer to the surface, following the principle of superposition. Therefore, the fossil found in the deepest layer would likely be the most ancient and potentially the common ancestor of the organisms represented in the other layers.