Four Sediment Cores Were Removed from the Floor of an Inland

question 19

Multiple Choice

Four sediment cores were removed from the floor of an inland sea. The sea was in existence, off and on, throughout the entire time that terrestrial life has existed. Researchers wish to locate and study the terrestrial organisms fossilized in these cores. In the diagram, the cores are illustrated as vertical columns, with the top of the column representing the most recent strata and the bottom representing the time when land was first colonized by life. If the arrows indicate locations in the column where fossils of a particular type (see key) first appear, then which sediment core provides the best support for the current model of the evolution of terrestrial organisms?

• A) core A
• B) core B
• C) core C
• D) core D

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Definitions:

Oak Tree

A type of tree or shrub belonging to the genus Quercus, known for its strength, longevity, and acorn production.

Plants

Members of the archaeplastid supergroup, distinguished by development of sporophytes from multicellular embryos enclosed in maternal tissues; also called land plants.

Protists

A diverse group of eukaryotic organisms, which are mostly unicellular, including amoebas, algae, and protozoa.

Swamp Habitat

A type of wetland ecosystem characterized by waterlogged soils and diverse plant and animal life, often with trees and standing water.