Fossils and geologic time

Question 1

The preserved remains or traces of living things are called:

Answer 1

Fossils

Question 2

scientists that studies fossils are called:

Answer 2

Paleontologists

Question 3

WHat type of rock are fossils found in

Answer 3

Sedimentary

Question 4

How do fossils form? Three steps:

Answer 4

1. Buried by sediment
2. The sand/soil slowly hardens
   #. After millions of years, erosion and formation of mountains can push the fossil to the surface

Question 5

Define cast:

Answer 5

hardened copy of an organisms

Question 6

Define molds:

Answer 6

imprint of fossil

Question 7

Define petrified fossil:

Answer 7

Minerals replace all or parts

Question 8

Define carbon films:

Answer 8

thin black imprint on a rock or fossil

Question 9

Define trace fossil:

Answer 9

activities of organisms: footprints

Question 10

Define preserved remains:

Answer 10

preserved in tar, ice, or amber

Question 11

What do we learn about studying fossils?

Answer 11

1. What environment was like in the past
2. Changes in organisms over time

Question 12

The gradual change in living things over a long period of time is called:

Answer 12

Evolution

Question 13

A type of organism that no longer exists is and will never again live on Earth is..

Answer 13

Extinct

Question 13

A type of organism that no longer exists is and will never again live on Earth is..

Answer 13

Extinct

Question 14

all the info and fossils scientists have found about past life is…

Answer 14

fossil record

Question 15

what is the geologic time scale?

Answer 15

a record of geologic events and evolution of life forms

Question 16

how did scientists decide to divide up earth’s long history

Answer 16

They used the appearance and disappearance of many organisms

Question 17

What is the beginning of time called

Answer 17

Precambrian time

Question 18

What major event breaks up the time between Precambrian Times and the Paleozoic Era

Answer 18

The Cambrian Explosion of Life

Question 19

What are the names if the three eras

Answer 19

Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Question 20

WHy aren’t there a lot of fossils from organisms living during Precambrian time?

Answer 20

There were simple, single-celled organisms

Question 21

What type of living thing was most successful during the Mesozoic time

Answer 21

reptiles

Question 22

What is one hypothesis for the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period

Answer 22

Asteroids, volcanos, climate change

Question 23

What era did human ancestors first appear

Answer 23

Cenozoic