The Solid Earth - Chapter 9: Fossils Flashcards
The branch of geology devoted to the study of ancient life
Paleontology
The remains or traces of organisms preserved from the geologic past
Fossil
What is the clever little one liner about the difference between biology and geology in terms of remains?
If it stinks, it belongs to zoology. If not, to paleontology.
What does it mean when a fossil becomes petrified?
The small internal cavities and pores of the original structures are filled in with precipitated mineral matter (the literal meaning of the term is turned into stone)
If petrification does not occur, what might occur instead? Hint: in this case the cell walls and other solid material are removed and replaced with mineral matter
replacement
Briefly describe replacement
The cell walls and other solid material are removed and replaced with mineral matter
When a shell or other structure is buried in sediment and then dissolved by underground water, a ____ is created
mold
If the hollow spaces are subsequently filled with mineral matter then instead of molds, ___ are created
casts
A type of fossilization called _____ is particularly effective in preserving leaves and delicate animal forms
carbonization
When does carbonization occur?
When fine sediment encases the remains of an organism. As time passes, pressure squeezes out the liquid and gaseous components and leaves behind a thin residue of carbon
True or false: black shales deposited as organic rich mud in oxygen poor environments often contain abundant carbonized remains
True
If the film of carbon is lost from a fossil preserved in fine grained sediment, a replica of the surface called _____ may still show detail
impression
What is a substance that often preserves insects?
Amber
What is amber?
The hardened resin of ancient trees
Why is resin effective for protecting insects?
It seals off the insect from the atmosphere and protects the remains from damage by water and air
