Why are fossils considered important in the study of evolution? Explain two ways by which age of fossils can be estimated.

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asked Oct 20, 2017 in Biology by Jsunil (832 points) 1 9 23

Why are fossils considered important in the study of evolution? Explain two ways by which age of fossils can be estimated.
10th science

2 Answers

+3 votes
answered Nov 2, 2017 by Annu Priya (18,055 points) 24 45 82
selected Nov 8, 2017 by sarthaks
 
Best answer

Fossils provide evidence in favour of evolution or establish evolutionary relationships by providing missing links. So, it is considered important in the study of evolution.

The age of the fossils can be determined by the following way:

1) Radiometric dating

In this method, the age of the fossil can be determined by tracing the radioactive elements present in the rocks and examining it chemically.

2) Relative dating

The fossils are found in the sedimentary rocks in the form of layers accumulated over the large span of time. So, using this fact, the geologist find the age of fossils in the way that the fossil found at the bottom of those layers are found to be older than that found above those.

commented Jan 25, 2018 by Sarthak Setia (10 points)
It's okay and use ful
+2 votes
answered Oct 20, 2017 by Jsunil (832 points) 1 9 23

Fossils provide evidence in favour of evolution or establish evolutionary relationships by providing missing links.
Two ways to determine the age of fossils
1. Relative method – Fossils found closer to the surface are more recent than those in the deeper layer.
2. By detecting the ratios of different isotopes of the same element in the fossils material.

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