Question

How can the fossil record be used as evidence for evolution?

Answer 1

We have studied so many theories as how the evolution actually happened. There are certain sources that are proof as how evolution actually took place. One of the major sources is the fossils. Fossils are remains that are preserved or are impressions or also called as traces that once the living form had existed.

Complete answer:
Fossils are used for a comparative study of the extinct or the prehistoric species with the present species. They can also give information about the missing links which helps in efficient study of evolution. The path of evolution is very long hence it is possible that there are some unknown facts and some mysterious species that are still a secret to the world, hence availability of fossils gives us knowledge about the sequences and the pathway of evolution. The information about the time of existence, structure and change in the structures can be studied. We know that some of the prehistoric dinosaurs had feathers on their body. With this information we can understand the relation between the dinosaurs and the present bird species. Until now the fossil study has proved that the prehistoric animals had mixed features, that they had feathers like birds and teeth like reptiles.
Even the arrangement of evolution is known as which species came first and which are the newer species. This proves the evolution on the basis of body structures as the simple designed bodies were converted to complex body systems. Mainly the fossils are found in the sedimentary rocks as they are hardened overtime as a result of preserving the fossils. This is also a reason that fossils are very difficult to find as they are buried deep inside.

Note: The record of fossils is still not complete. Very small numbers of organisms are found which were preserved as fossils. The search for fossils is still in progress to know more about evolution and a very tiny number of species have been recovered which gives information about evolution. The paleontological study hence is of great importance to give us better understanding about the extinction, biodiversity and evolutionary changes.