Question

What can the fossil record tell scientists about Earth's history? Select ALL that apply.

how all the organisms in an area lived and died

how climates in different parts of the world have changed

the past environment of an area

the characteristics of once-living organisms

Answer 1

Select:
- how climates in different parts of the world have changed — Yes. Fossils (plant types, animal distributions, oxygen/isotope signatures) give evidence of past climates.
- the past environment of an area — Yes. Fossils indicate whether an area was marine, freshwater, forest, swamp, etc.
- the characteristics of once-living organisms — Yes. Fossils preserve anatomy and sometimes soft-tissue impressions, behavior traces, or chemistry.

Not selected:
- how all the organisms in an area lived and died — No. The fossil record is incomplete and biased, so it can reveal how some organisms lived or died but not a complete account for all organisms.