Question

The Archaeopteryx remains that are preserved as fossils show that

• A. it was a bird
• B. reptiles gave rise to birds
• C. it was a herbivorous dinosaur
• D. birds gave rise to reptiles

Answer 1

The correct option is B reptiles gave rise to birds

Fossils are the preserved remains or impressions of organisms that existed in a past geological age. Fossils are generally found in sedimentary rocks as they are formed by the accumulation and deposition of minerals and other inorganic materials on the buried carcasses of living creatures.
Evidence has suggested that birds evolved from the carnivorous dinosaur (reptile). It is evident from the characters of Archaeopteryx (a reptile), whose fossil was found. For example, it had jaws with teeth and a long bony tail like that of reptiles. However, it also had broad wings and feathers like birds. Archaeopteryx is a carnivorous dinosaur not herbivorous, it used to feed on small reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and insects. Hence statement b is correct and a, c and d are wrong. Thus, it can be concluded that the reptiles gave rise to birds via transitional species like Archaeopteryx.