None of the statements provided are accurate regarding evolution. Here’s why each statement is incorrect:
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"Scientists no longer study evolution because it has been proven." - This is not true; scientists continue to study evolution to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms, processes, and implications of evolutionary theory. The scientific method relies on continuous inquiry, and new evidence can modify or refine existing theories.
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"Animals, plants, and microbes have their own separate, unrelated ancestries." - This statement is inaccurate because all living organisms share a common ancestry. Evolutionary biology studies these relationships to understand the connections between different life forms.
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"Living things have adapted and changed over time for specific, discoverable reasons." - While living things do adapt and change over time, these changes are not always for specific, conscious reasons. Evolution occurs due to natural selection, genetic drift, mutations, and other mechanisms rather than predetermined goals or discoverable reasons.
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"DNA is the only extant evidence supporting the theory of evolution." - This statement is not correct because multiple lines of evidence support the theory of evolution, including fossil records, comparative anatomy, embryology, biogeography, and molecular biology, among others. DNA is a significant piece of the puzzle but not the only evidence.
In summary, all of the provided statements about evolution are inaccurate.