Dinoflagellate fossils are more common than euglenoid fossils because
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 25 - 2010 - Paper 1
Question 25
Dinoflagellate fossils are more common than euglenoid fossils because
A. dinoflagellate walls are tougher than those of euglenoids.
B. dinoflagellate fossil deposits... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Dinoflagellate fossils are more common than euglenoid fossils because
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 25 - 2010 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. dinoflagellate walls are tougher than those of euglenoids.
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Answer
While it's true that dinoflagellates have more robust cellular structures, this fact alone doesn't explain the greater fossilization of dinoflagellates relative to euglenoids.
Step 2
B. dinoflagellate fossil deposits have been subjected to salt water.
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This option suggests an environmental factor influencing preservation. Saltwater conditions could preserve fossils better, but this alone may not account for the frequency of finding dinoflagellate fossils.
Step 3
C. euglenoids were more likely to be covered by sediment when they died.
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This is significant because better sediment coverage can lead to more rapid fossilization and preservation. However, it doesn't fully account for the prevalence of dinoflagellates.
Step 4
D. dinoflagellate fossil deposits are more accessible than those of euglenoids.
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This option is most compelling. The accessibility of dinoflagellate fossil deposits likely contributes significantly to their increased discovery and documentation in the fossil record.
