Transitional fossils best support which concept?

Study for the North Carolina Grade 8 End-of-Grade Science Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Transitional fossils best support which concept?

Explanation:
Transitional fossils show how species change over long periods by preserving forms that have traits bridging ancient and modern organisms. They provide concrete examples of descent with modification, linking older life forms to the species we see today. For instance, a fossil with a mix of reptile-like and bird-like features demonstrates how a lineage can evolve into a different major group, while another fossil showing both fish and tetrapod characteristics illustrates the move from aquatic to land-dwelling life. This kind of evidence directly supports the Theory of Biological Evolution, which explains how populations change over time and share common ancestors. The other options describe processes or ideas about Earth’s rocks or its geographic layout rather than how life changes through time.

Transitional fossils show how species change over long periods by preserving forms that have traits bridging ancient and modern organisms. They provide concrete examples of descent with modification, linking older life forms to the species we see today. For instance, a fossil with a mix of reptile-like and bird-like features demonstrates how a lineage can evolve into a different major group, while another fossil showing both fish and tetrapod characteristics illustrates the move from aquatic to land-dwelling life. This kind of evidence directly supports the Theory of Biological Evolution, which explains how populations change over time and share common ancestors. The other options describe processes or ideas about Earth’s rocks or its geographic layout rather than how life changes through time.

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