Fossils Flashcards
What are fossils?
They are the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism embedded in something and preserved in petrified form.
2 main types of fossils?
Body fossils and trace fossils
What are body fossils?
Fossils formed from the remains of dead animals and plants
What are trace fossils?
A fossil that shows the activity of a plant or animal, for example a foot print
The 5 types of fossils?
- Mineralization
- Mold
- Cast
- Carbonization
- Original Material
Mineralization?
When the pores of the fossil are filled with mineral matter
Mold?
An impression or an imprint of a living organism
Cast?
When an organism dies, it decays and material fills up in the spot where the organism was
Carbonization?
When tissue leaves a carbon print on the material
Original material?
When the living organism is preserved completely in materials such as rock or sap
