Question

Which of the following statements about extinction is true? Choose one: A. Recent species are disappearing so slowly that researchers suggest our present time is another mass extinction. B. Some species may become extinct because they evolve into a new species. C. At least five mass-extinction events have occurred during the last 500 million years. D. The movement of tectonic plates does not often cause mass extinctions, because all species move along with the plate.

Answer 1

The true statement regarding extinction is that at least five mass-extinction events have occurred in the last 500 million years, with a current sixth mass extinction caused by human activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The true statement about extinction among the options provided is C. At least five mass-extinction events have occurred during the last 500 million years. These mass extinctions, identified in the fossil record, show significant losses in biodiversity, with the most recent one being about 65 million years ago, which led to the demise of the dinosaurs and many other species due to an asteroid impact. In contrast to previous mass extinctions, the currently observed sixth mass extinction is attributed primarily to human activities, such as habitat destruction, the introduction of invasive species, and overharvesting. This event has been ongoing since around the expansion of European colonies in the 1500s and is predicted to result in a drastic reduction of biodiversity, with extinction rates much higher than the normal background rate.

Answer 2

C. At least five mass-extinction events have occurred during the last 500 million years.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The history of mass extinct is related to the five mass extinctions that are caused over by the 350 million years n which many species have disappeared in there short geologic time.

• A massive extinction is caused in the Permian Triassic extinction event i.e about 250 mn years ago which on an estimate has killed 90% of the species.

• The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event that occurred over 66 million years ago is known to have wiped out the dinosaurs and many other species.