Paleontology is the science focused on what aspect of nature?

Paleontology is the branch of science dedicated to studying prehistoric life, primarily through the analysis of fossils. This field encompasses the examination of the history of life on Earth by investigating the remains of plants and animals that existed long before recorded history. Fossils provide critical evidence of how organisms behaved, evolved, and interacted with their environment over geological time. By understanding these ancient life forms, paleontologists can draw important conclusions about the history of life on Earth and how it has been shaped by various environmental changes and extinction events.

The other options do not accurately represent the focus of paleontology: the study of current animal life pertains to biology or zoology, geological processes involve the study of the Earth's structure and processes, and the study of stars and galaxies falls under the domain of astronomy. Each of these fields is distinct and emphasizes different aspects of science, underscoring the unique nature of paleontology in exploring the history of life through fossil records.