Which statements best describe the fossil record? Check all that apply.

Question

The fossil record is a complete history of all the organisms that have lived on Earth.
The fossil record shows which organisms have a common ancestor.
The fossil record can be used to develop a timeline of Earth’s history.
The fossil record shows which organisms existed at the same time.
The fossil record shows that fossils in lower rock layers are younger than fossils in higher rock layers.

Answer 1

The following statements best describe the fossil record:

1. The fossil record shows which organisms have a common ancestor.
2. The fossil record can be used to develop a timeline of Earth’s history.
3. The fossil record shows which organisms existed at the same time.

The other statements are not accurate:

• The fossil record is a complete history of all the organisms that have lived on Earth. (This is not true; the fossil record is incomplete and may not represent all organisms that existed.)
• The fossil record shows that fossils in lower rock layers are younger than fossils in higher rock layers. (This statement is the opposite of the truth; fossils in lower rock layers are generally older than those in higher layers, following the principle of stratigraphy.)