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.

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

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

Scientists no longer study evolution because it has been proven.

3 answers

None of the statements provided are accurate regarding evolution. Here’s a breakdown:

  1. DNA is the only extant evidence supporting the theory of evolution. - This is incorrect because there is a multitude of evidence supporting evolution, including fossil records, comparative anatomy, embryology, and biogeography, in addition to DNA.

  2. Living things have adapted and changed over time for specific, discoverable reasons. - While living things do adapt and change, the reasons for these changes are often complex and include random mutations and natural selection, rather than specific, discoverable reasons.

  3. Animals, plants, and microbes have their own separate, unrelated ancestries. - This is false; all living organisms share a common ancestry. While they have diverged over time, they are related through evolutionary processes.

  4. Scientists no longer study evolution because it has been proven. - This is misleading; while the theory of evolution is widely accepted and supported by extensive evidence, scientists continue to study it to explore and understand the complexities of evolutionary processes and refine the theory.

In summary, all the statements contain inaccuracies about evolution.

which answer is most accurate

From the options provided, none are entirely accurate. However, if you were to select the "least inaccurate" option based on common misconceptions, it would be:

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

While this statement simplifies the complexity of evolutionary processes (as it implies specific, predictable reasons for adaptations), it is closer to the concept of evolution than the other statements. Evolution does involve changes and adaptations over time, often influenced by natural selection and environmental pressures. However, it’s important to note that these changes are not always for specific, discoverable reasons in a deterministic sense; many are the result of random mutations and unpredictable environmental factors.