Question

The diagram below shows undisturbed sedimentary strata at the bottom of an ocean. The fossils found in layer B resemble the fossils found in layer A. This similarity suggests that

• A. the fossils in layer B were formed before the fossils in layer A
• B. modern forms of life may have evolved from earlier forms of life
• C. vertebrate fossils are only found in sediments
• D. the fossils in layer A must be more complex than those in layer B

Answer 1

The correct option is B

modern forms of life may have evolved from earlier forms of life

These fossils demonstrate gradualism. This theory states that species gradually change over time. Since the fossils are found in different layers of sedimentary rock, the older layer contains older species and the newer layers contain newer species. But the newer species are formed by changes or modifications in the older species. These changes could be due to interactions of genomes with the environment or mutations. The resemblance of fossils suggests the evolution of new species from the existing ones.