Question

which of the following questions can be answered by studying these fossil layers? are reptiles the ancestors to bird or fish? what did the fish eat? why did dinosaurs become extinct? which organisms lived before/after/or at the same time?

Explanation:

Fossil layers (strata) can show the chronological order of organisms. By looking at the position of fossils in different layers, we can determine which organisms lived before, after, or at the same time. For example, lower layers are generally older. To answer "Are reptiles the ancestors to bird or fish", more evolutionary evidence (like genetic or detailed anatomical transitional forms) beyond just fossil layering is usually needed. To know "What did the fish eat", fossilized stomach contents or associated prey fossils (not just layering) would be relevant. And to determine "Why did dinosaurs become extinct", evidence like asteroid impact layers, volcanic ash layers with specific chemical signatures (not just the basic fossil layering shown in the simple diagram) is required. But the relative position of fossils in layers directly helps with the time - related question.

Answer:

Which organisms lived before/after/or at the same time?