BIOLOGY:THE ESSENTIALS (LL) W/CONNECT
BIOLOGY:THE ESSENTIALS (LL) W/CONNECT
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9781260670929
Author: Hoefnagels
Publisher: MCG CUSTOM
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Chapter 13, Problem 1MCQ

Why is the fossil record incomplete?

a. Because many organisms with soft body parts never fossilize.
b. Because many fossils are destroyed by geological events
c. Because many fossils are buried where no one will ever find them
d All of the above are correct.
Expert Solution & Answer
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Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Fossils are dead remains of the organism that existed during prehistoric times. Fossil study helps in the estimation of the evolutionary relationship among the organism. These also provide information about the nature of climatic condition during early periods of the Earth’s history.

Answer to Problem 1MCQ

Correct answer:

Many organisms with soft body parts never fossilize, many fossils are destroyed by the geological events, and some fossils are present where no one can locate them. This is the reason for the incomplete fossil records. Hence, the correct answer is option d.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for correct answer:

Option d. is given as, “All of the above are correct.”

Fossil records are incomplete because many organisms with soft body parts never become fossilized, some fossils are destroyed during geological events such as continental drifts, and many fossils are buried at places where no one can ever find them.

Reason for incorrect answer:

Option a. is given as, “because many organisms with soft body parts never fossilize.”

The organism with soft body parts such as sponges and algae never fossilize because the soft body of the organism often mixes with the sediments. However, this is not the only reason for the incomplete fossil records. Hence, option a. is incorrect.

Option b. is given as, “because many fossils are destroyed by geological events.”

The major geologic events such as the movement of continental plates and glacier retreat destroy the fossils. This is one of the reasons that fossil records are incomplete. Hence, option b. is incorrect.

Option d. is given as, “because many fossils are buried where no one will ever find them.”

Many fossils of the aquatic organism are buried under the deep oceanic levels and are difficult to study. However, this is just one of the reasons for fossil records to be incomplete.

Hence, option c. is incorrect.

Hence, the options a., b., and c. are not incorrect but incomplete.

Conclusion

Fossil records are incomplete because many of the organisms with soft body parts never fossilize, many fossils destroyed by the geological events, and many fossils are present where no one can locate them. Thus, the correct option is d.

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Chapter 13 Solutions

BIOLOGY:THE ESSENTIALS (LL) W/CONNECT

Ch. 13.5 - How does the study of embryonic development reveal...Ch. 13.5 - Prob. 2MCCh. 13.6 - How does analysis of DNA and proteins support...Ch. 13.6 - Prob. 2MCCh. 13 - Why is the fossil record incomplete? a. Because...Ch. 13 - Prob. 2MCQCh. 13 - Prob. 3MCQCh. 13 - The study of biogeography is most concerned with...Ch. 13 - Octopuses and cuttlefish are mollusks that have a...Ch. 13 - Ground beetles have useless hindwings. In related...Ch. 13 - Scorpions occupy every continent except...Ch. 13 - Prob. 8MCQCh. 13 - Prob. 9MCQCh. 13 - Which of the following would be most useful for...Ch. 13 - Prob. 1WIOCh. 13 - Prob. 2WIOCh. 13 - Why are transitional fossils especially useful for...Ch. 13 - Prob. 4WIOCh. 13 - Index fossils represent organisms that were...Ch. 13 - Prob. 6WIOCh. 13 - Prob. 7WIOCh. 13 - How did the discovery of Wallaces line demonstrate...Ch. 13 - Why is it important for evolutionary biologists to...Ch. 13 - Suppose that plants in the San Francisco Bay area...Ch. 13 - Many species look similar as embryos. What causes...Ch. 13 - Give examples of how the field of evolutionary...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13WIOCh. 13 - Prob. 14WIOCh. 13 - Prob. 15WIOCh. 13 - Prob. 16WIOCh. 13 - Genetic anthropology combines the study of DNA...Ch. 13 - Review Burning Question 13.13, which explains why...Ch. 13 - Review the Survey the Landscape figure in the...Ch. 13 - Write a phrase to connect fossils and biogeography...Ch. 13 - Add the following terms to this concept map:...Ch. 13 - Provide an example of ach line of evidence for...
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