1q-28q Flashcards
What is the definition of fossil?
Fossils are the remains of the traces of an organism that was once alive.
How are fossils formed? (4 points)
An animal gets buried by sediment, layers accumulate above the remains, movement of tectonic plates lift sediment and push the fossil closer to the surface, and finally erosion helps to expose the preserved remains.
What are two categories of fossils? (2 points)
- Fossilized body parts
2. Trace fossils
The fossil record is generally incomplete. Why? (3 points)
The fossil record is generally incomplete due to;
- Poor preservation
- Poor observation & recovery
- Poor fossilization potential
You have a better chance of becoming a fossil if you are…? (3 points)
- You have hard parts (teeth, bones, shells)
- You’re buried rapidly
- You’re prolific
What are the five main types of fossils? (5 points)
- Petrified fossils
- Molds & casts
- Carbon films
- Trace fossils
- Preserve remains
Explain what petrified means.
Turning into stone
How are petrified fossils formed?
Minerals replace all or most of a part of an organism
What is a most? A cast? (2 points)
Mold- indention of the shape of a dissolved organism on hardened rock
Cast- taking place Of the mold, when minerals fill the mold and replace the dissolving organism and harden as rock. Opposite of mold
What is carbonization or carbon film?
Carbonization Is when a living thing dies and leaves a thin layer of carbon behind that shows the delicate parts of the object
What 3 ways can remains get get preserved? (3 points)
- Amber- trapping an organism sticky resin then hardening
- Tar- tar covers an organism & soaks into bones to stop decaying
- Ice- an animals body is frozen & completely preserved
What is entombing?
The process in which an organism is preserved in Amber
What is mummification?
The process in which an animal or being dies in tar & the tar soaks into the bones to stop decay
Explain how mold and cast fossils are made (2 points)
An animal does and gets buried under sediment & dissolves, leaving a mold or hole of its shape. Then, water and mineral soak into the mold and hardens into rock, creating a cast.
What type of rock contains most fossils?
Sedimentary rock
