Fossils Flashcards
What is a fossil?
hardened remains of a dead organism that once existed.
What is the study of a fossil?
Palaeontology and they are called palaeontologists.
Where are fossils found?
Sedimentary rock
What are fossils formed from?
Mud, sand and clay. Also formed from remained seas, rivers, lakes and deserts that disappeared a long time ago.
What do fossils show us?
How the earth has evolved overtime and is a window to the past.
What is a body fossil?
The preserved remains of an organisms actual body part like bones, teeth and shells (entire organism).
What is a mold and cast fossil?
where animals and plants were buried in mud or soft soil and decays away, leaving behind and impression of their bodies leaves or flowers.
What is a trace fossil?
Footprint, trails or burrows
What is an amber fossil?
Stuck in sticky sap, it retains its chemical composite.
What is a frozen fossil?
Fossil preserved ice or snow.
what is relative dating?
Newer species are found on the top layer whilst older species are found on the bottom layer.
What method does not give the actual age?
Relative Dating.
What method is known as carbon dating?
Radioactive dating.
What is radioactive dating used to determine?
Determine the actual age of a fossil. This method is based on the tempo of radioactive decay.
What is radioactive dating cont?
The age of rocks that can be determined by studying the ratio of radioactive isotopes to their stable forms.
