Very few fossils of jellyfish or their close relatives have been found. This makes it hard to trace the evolutionary history of jellyfish using the fossil record. What explains this?
A. Jellyfish fossils are buried deep under the ocean floor, not in land areas where scientists look for fossils.
B. Jellyfish have soft bodies that decay completely before fossilization can occur.***
C. Jellyfish are a relatively new species in the history of living things on Earth and do not have ancient ancestors.
D. Jellyfish fossils are likely more fragile than other types of fossils and so they degrade before they can be examined.
correct.
what were your answers im doing this test aswell to all the quetions??
The correct answer is B. Jellyfish have soft bodies that decay completely before fossilization can occur.
When it comes to the fossilization process, certain conditions are required for an organism to become fossilized. Typically, the hard parts of an organism, such as bones or shells, have a higher chance of being preserved. Soft-bodied organisms, like jellyfish, lack these hard parts, making it difficult for them to fossilize.
Because jellyfish are composed mainly of water and have delicate structures, they tend to decompose rapidly after death. The chances of their soft tissues becoming fossilized are extremely low. As a result, very few jellyfish fossils or remains of their close relatives have been discovered.
Meanwhile, option A is incorrect because it suggests that jellyfish fossils are buried deep under the ocean floor. However, the rarity of jellyfish fossils is not due to their burial location, as there are ongoing fossil research efforts in aquatic environments. Option C is also inaccurate since jellyfish are not a recent species, and they have existed for millions of years. Finally, option D incorrectly assumes that jellyfish fossils are more fragile than other types of fossils. Instead, it is their soft bodies that make them difficult to preserve.