Asked by Meow idk

Scientists hypothesize that Earth is currently in a sixth mass extinction period when compared to the natural extinction rate. Which of the following BEST explains the baseline extinction rate?

(1 point)

the rate of species extinction as a result of water pollution


the rate of species extinction compared to the fossil record


the rate of species extinction caused by coral bleaching


the rate of species extinction if human activity did not exist

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
the rate of species extinction if human activity did not exist

This describes the background (baseline) extinction rate — the natural rate of species loss absent human impacts, used to compare current extinction rates.