GED Science Practice

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Prepare for the GED Science Test with our comprehensive quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Ensure your success on the GED Science Exam!

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What is the function of paleontology as an earth science discipline?

Studies fossil organisms
Carries explosive charge in a missile
Destroys harmful microorganisms in food
Produces antibiotics from molds

The correct answer is: Studies fossil organisms

Paleontology is primarily focused on the study of ancient life forms as evidenced by their fossilized remains. This scientific discipline helps us understand the history of the Earth, the evolution of organisms, and how various life forms interacted with their environments over time. By analyzing fossils, paleontologists can reconstruct past ecosystems, track species diversity, and gain insights into how life has changed through geological time. The other choices pertain to different scientific fields or functions that do not relate to paleontology. For example, the study of explosive charges in munitions falls under military technology or physics, while destroying microorganisms relates to food safety and microbiology. Likewise, producing antibiotics is a function of medical microbiology and biotechnology. Thus, the correct answer reflects the essence of what paleontology is all about: the study of fossil organisms.