NEETBotanyBiodiversity and its Conservation
What do fossil records teach us about the history of life on earth?
Options
- AThere have been mass extinctions of species in the past
- BThere have not been any mass extinctions of species in the past
- CThe current episode of extinction is the first one in the history of life on earth
- DNone of the above
Correct answer
A. There have been mass extinctions of species in the past
Step-by-step solution
From a study of the history of life on earth through fossil records, we learn that large-scale loss of species like the one we are currently witnessing have also happened earlier , even before humans appeared on the scene. During the long period (> 3 billion years) since the origin and diversification of life on earth there were five episodes of mass extinction of species. How is the ‘Sixth Extinction’ presently in progress different from the previous episodes? The difference is in the rates; the current species ex