Multiple Choice
Approximately how long ago do we find the first fossils of multi-celled organisms?
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24. History of Life on Earth
The Fossil Record
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Approximately how far back in time does the fossil record extend?
A
About 500 million years
B
About 10 million years
C
About 65 million years
D
About 3.5 billion years
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of the fossil record: The fossil record is the collection of all known fossils and their placement in rock formations and sedimentary layers, which provides evidence of the history of life on Earth.
Recognize the significance of the earliest fossils: Fossils of microorganisms, such as stromatolites (layered structures formed by the activity of microbial communities), are among the oldest evidence of life on Earth.
Learn the timeline of Earth's history: The Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old, and the earliest evidence of life dates back to around 3.5 billion years ago, based on fossilized microbial mats and chemical signatures.
Compare the options provided: Evaluate the given timeframes (500 million years, 10 million years, 65 million years, and 3.5 billion years) and identify which aligns with the earliest evidence of life in the fossil record.
Conclude that the fossil record extends back approximately 3.5 billion years, as this is the time when the first known fossils of microorganisms appeared.
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