Fossils
E.ST.06.42 - Describe how fossils provide important evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed.
Fossils: Preserved remains of the traces of ancient life.
Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by sediments. (How violent!) The sediments slowly harden into rock and preserve the shapes of the organisms.
Paleontologists: Scientists who study fossils
Sedimentary rock: Made up of hardened sediment- Most fossils are found in this type of rock
Fossils found in rock include petrified fossils, molds and casts, carbon films, and trace fossils.
Other fossils form when the remains of organisms are preserved in substances such as tar, amber, or ice.
Petrified Fossils: Fossils in which minerals replace all or part of the organism.
Mold: Hollow area in sediment which is a copy of the ancient organism.
Cast: Copy of the shape of the organism which sticks out.
Carbon Film: Extremely thin coating of carbon on rock in the shape of the organism.
Trace Fossils: provide evidence of activities in ancient organisms.
The fossil record provides evidence about the history of life on Earth. The fossil record also shows that different groups of organisms have changed over time.
Scientific Theory: a well-tested theory that explains awide-range of observations
Evolution: The gradual change in loving things over long periods of time.
Extinct: No more on Earth:(
Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by sediments. (How violent!) The sediments slowly harden into rock and preserve the shapes of the organisms.
Paleontologists: Scientists who study fossils
Sedimentary rock: Made up of hardened sediment- Most fossils are found in this type of rock
Fossils found in rock include petrified fossils, molds and casts, carbon films, and trace fossils.
Other fossils form when the remains of organisms are preserved in substances such as tar, amber, or ice.
Petrified Fossils: Fossils in which minerals replace all or part of the organism.
Mold: Hollow area in sediment which is a copy of the ancient organism.
Cast: Copy of the shape of the organism which sticks out.
Carbon Film: Extremely thin coating of carbon on rock in the shape of the organism.
Trace Fossils: provide evidence of activities in ancient organisms.
The fossil record provides evidence about the history of life on Earth. The fossil record also shows that different groups of organisms have changed over time.
Scientific Theory: a well-tested theory that explains awide-range of observations
Evolution: The gradual change in loving things over long periods of time.
Extinct: No more on Earth:(