Question

Which of the following statements uses the data above to provide evidence to explain why most organisms that lived in the past were never fossilized?

A. "The data shows that only a small fraction of organisms that lived in the past ended up as fossils, suggesting that the conditions necessary for fossilization were rare or that many organisms were destroyed before they could become fossils."

B. "The data illustrates that most ancient organisms were not suitable for fossilization due to their small size and lack of hard body parts, making it unlikely for them to leave behind fossils."

C. "The data suggests that organisms in the past were not preserved as fossils because there was a lack of interest in studying paleontology at that time."

D. "The data reveals that fossilization rates were high, indicating that most organisms in the past became fossils, contrary to popular belief."

You can choose the correct answer from these options.

Answer 1

The data shows that only a small fraction of organisms that lived in the past ended up as fossils, suggesting that the conditions necessary for fossilization were rare or that many organisms were destroyed before they could become fossils.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is A. "The data shows that only a small fraction of organisms that lived in the past ended up as fossils, suggesting that the conditions necessary for fossilization were rare or that many organisms were destroyed before they could become fossils."

The information provided explains that to be preserved as fossils, remains must be covered quickly by sediments or preserved in some other way. The conditions required for fossils to form rarely occur, making it unlikely for most organisms to leave behind fossils. This supports the statement in option A that the conditions necessary for fossilization were rare or that many organisms were destroyed before they could become fossils.