Answer:
The correct answer is:
c. the organism does not decay in an anoxic environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preservation potential of an organism is higher in an anoxic (oxygen-poor) environment because the lack of oxygen inhibits the decay and decomposition processes. Decay is primarily facilitated by the activity of aerobic bacteria that require oxygen. In an anoxic environment, the absence of oxygen slows down or prevents the microbial decomposition of organic matter.
When an organism dies in an anoxic environment, it is less likely to undergo decay, and the conditions become favorable for preservation. This can lead to the formation of fossils or other well-preserved remains, as the organic material is protected from rapid degradation. Anoxic conditions are often associated with environments such as waterlogged sediments, deep-sea environments, or certain types of soils where the lack of oxygen hinders the activities of decomposing organisms.