Question

e. Define fossil. Explain importance
of fossils as proof of evolution.
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Answer 1

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms from the past. Fossils are important evidence for evolution because they show that life on earth was once different from life found on earth today.

Answer 2

This is what the dictionary says about the word Fossil:

"The remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form."

In other words, fossils are the remains of dead plants and animals which have been embedded into rocks and preserved for several years.

Fossils serve as an important proof for the evolution of all species in the world, including man in particular. Considering humans, we can discover and research the changes that took place in human beings by studying the different types of fossils obtained from various parts of the world. We can observe the changes in body features, size, build, stature and way of life of these predecessors. Using dating methodologies, we can also estimate which era a particular fossil belongs to, thus helping us paint a complete picture with regards to the evolution of man.

Hence, fossils serve as an important proof of evolution.