Describe how fossils help us understand the past. Provide an example.

Study of fossils has led to important new understanding about how life evolved on earth and about diseases, both ancient and modern. Fossils also help us understand past climates, including ice ages and periods that were warmer than our present climate. Knowledge from the study of fossils is helping geoscientists understand global warming and its effects. By studying the catastrophic extinction of the dinosaurs and many other life forms at the end of the Cretaceous Period, geoscientists have gained insight into the evolutionary implications of impacts by extraterrestrial objects. Investigating the physical and chemical characteristics of fossil organisms that lived during times of drastic climatic change helps us understand the implications of the changes we are making in our own environment. Information about Earth history, practical help in finding energy resources, and information that helps us anticipate the effects of possible environmental changes are not the only benefits derived from fossils. hope this helps :)

Answered by bigdawg631735 | 2024-06-10

Understanding the Past Through Fossils
Fossils are invaluable in helping us comprehend the historical narrative of life on Earth. A fossil is the preserved remain of an organism that lived in the distant past. Common examples include bones, teeth, and impressions. Through these relics of the past, paleontologists—scientists who study fossils—can reveal evidence for evolution by examining changes in the forms and structures of organisms over time.
One notable example of how fossils contribute to our understanding is the evolution of the horse. The fossil record of horses shows a progression from small, multi-toed ancestors to the large, single-toed horses we see today. This evidence not only demonstrates how the species adapted and changed over millions of years but also illustrates broader evolutionary trends.
To reconstruct the story of life, paleontologists date fossils using methods like relative and absolute dating. This allows them to order events chronologically, providing a timeline of evolutionary changes. The morphological similarities between different species, such as the whale flipper and bird wings, further support the idea of a shared common ancestor.

Answered by Elsa2212 | 2024-06-18

Fossils help us understand life’s history by providing evidence of evolution, insights into past climates, and helping date geological layers. They also show how organisms have changed over time and offer clues about mass extinction events. An example is the evolution of horses, which reveals how species adapt based on environmental changes.
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Answered by bigdawg631735 | 2024-09-27