A scientist discovers a fossil of an animal and places it in the fossil record. The organism’s bones are similar to the bones of animal T, which appears earlier in the fossil record. Which conclusion is most reasonable?(1 point)
Responses
The fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.
The fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.
The fossils are from a descendant of animal T.
The fossils are from a descendant of animal T.
The fossils came from the same organism.
The fossils came from the same organism.
The fossils are from animals that lived at the same time.
The fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.
The most reasonable conclusion is that the fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.
To determine the most reasonable conclusion, we need to analyze the information provided. The scientist discovered a fossil of an animal that has bones similar to those of animal T, which appears earlier in the fossil record.
Based on this information, it is more reasonable to conclude that the fossils are from an ancestor of animal T. Fossils that appear earlier in the fossil record are generally considered to be ancestors of those that appear later. Therefore, it is likely that the discovered fossil represents an older organism that shares common characteristics with animal T.
Another possible conclusion is that the fossils came from the same organism. However, since animal T appears earlier in the fossil record, it is more likely that the discovered fossil represents an ancestor rather than the exact same organism.
The conclusion that the fossils are from a descendant of animal T is less reasonable because the discovered fossil appears earlier in the fossil record, indicating that it predates animal T.
The conclusion that the fossils are from animals that lived at the same time is also less reasonable because the question states that animal T appears earlier in the fossil record.
Therefore, the most reasonable conclusion is that the fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.