4 What do scientists now think about the pace of evolutionary change?

A Gradualism best explains the pace of evolutionary change.
B Punctuated equilibrium best explains the pace of evolutionary change
C A combination of both gradualism and punctuated equilibrium explains the pace of evolutionary change.

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "pace of evolutionary change" to get these possible sources:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=pace+of+evolutionary+change&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl

In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.

C A combination of both gradualism and punctuated equilibrium explains the pace of evolutionary change.

To determine what scientists now think about the pace of evolutionary change, we should look at the evidence and theories that have been proposed.

Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are two contrasting theories that explain the pace of evolutionary change.

Gradualism suggests that evolution occurs gradually and continuously over long periods of time. According to this theory, species gradually accumulate small changes over generations, leading to the formation of new species. This model implies a slow and steady pace of evolutionary change.

Punctuated equilibrium, on the other hand, proposes that evolution mostly occurs in relatively brief periods of rapid change, punctuated by long periods of stability. According to this theory, species experience significant evolutionary change during geologically short time intervals, often associated with major environmental events. This model suggests that the pace of evolutionary change is characterized by long periods of relative stability followed by sudden bursts of rapid change.

Recent scientific evidence and research suggest that a combination of both gradualism and punctuated equilibrium can explain the pace of evolutionary change. This view is now widely accepted among scientists. It acknowledges that different species and different environments can experience varying rates of evolutionary change, with some species evolving gradually over time, while others undergo more rapid periods of change.

Therefore, the answer to your question is option C: A combination of both gradualism and punctuated equilibrium explains the pace of evolutionary change. Scientists recognize that the pace of evolution is influenced by a variety of factors, and different species may demonstrate different rates and patterns of change over time.