Fossils and genes are used to determine. What is it how species interact with each other how species will change overtime how many mutations occurred in a species overtime are differences between organisms.
Fossils and genes are used to determine several aspects of organisms and their evolution:
1. How species will change over time: Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and their characteristics, such as their physical structures or forms, which can help in predicting how species might change in the future. Genes, on the other hand, contain information about an organism's hereditary traits, and studying genetic variations can provide insights into how species may evolve over time.
2. Differences between organisms: Fossils and genes are both important in understanding the differences between organisms. Fossils can reveal the morphological variations among different species or different populations within a species. Genes, specifically DNA sequences, can be compared between organisms to understand the genetic differences and similarities, revealing evolutionary relationships and providing insights into taxonomy and classification.
3. How species interact with each other: Fossils can provide evidence of past ecological interactions between species. For example, fossilized remains of predator and prey interactions, or evidence of mutualistic relationships between species can give insights into the historical interactions between organisms. Genes can also help in understanding the present-day interactions between species, such as studying genetic variations to determine relationships, or analyzing genes related to symbiotic interactions.
4. How many mutations occurred in a species over time: Genes hold information about the mutations that have occurred in a species over time. By comparing DNA sequences or analyzing genetic variations within a population, scientists can estimate the number of mutations that have accumulated over generations, providing insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of a species.
In summary, fossils and genes provide crucial information about species interactions, changes over time, differences between organisms, and the accumulation of mutations, thereby contributing to our understanding of evolutionary biology and the history of life on Earth.