Which statement about evolution is accurate?(1 point)

Responses

DNA is the only extant evidence supporting the theory of evolution.
DNA is the only extant evidence supporting the theory of evolution.

Scientists no longer study evolution because it has been proven.
Scientists no longer study evolution because it has been proven.

Animals, plants, and microbes have their own separate, unrelated ancestries.
Animals, plants, and microbes have their own separate, unrelated ancestries.

Living things have adapted and changed over time for specific, discoverable reasons.
Living things have adapted and changed over time for specific, discoverable reasons.

1 answer

None of the statements accurately reflect the current understanding of evolution. Here's a brief clarification for each:

  1. DNA is the only extant evidence supporting the theory of evolution. - This is inaccurate because evidence for evolution also includes fossil records, comparative anatomy, embryology, and observations of natural selection, among other things.

  2. Scientists no longer study evolution because it has been proven. - This is incorrect; scientists continue to study evolution as it is a dynamic field with ongoing research that constantly adds to our understanding of evolutionary processes.

  3. Animals, plants, and microbes have their own separate, unrelated ancestries. - This statement is false. All living organisms share a common ancestor in the distant past, and evidence from genetics supports this interconnectedness.

  4. Living things have adapted and changed over time for specific, discoverable reasons. - This might be the closest to a true concept, but it is often more complex; adaptations occur through processes like natural selection, mutations, genetic drift, etc. While reasons can be studied, not all changes are for "specific" reasons that can be easily categorized.

In summary, none of these statements are accurately representative of evolutionary theory or the ongoing research in the field.