Evolution of Landforms and Lifeforms

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What is Absolute Dating?

Back

A dating strategy that uses radioactive elements to determine the actual age of fossils.

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What happens to species as they evolve?

Back

They develop new traits and lose old traits.

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Why do igneous rock intrusions and extrusions lack fossils?

Back

The high temperature of the magma destroyed any remains of organisms.

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What are Analogous Structures?

Back

Structures that evolved independently in two living organisms to serve the same purpose.

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What is a carbonized fossil?

Back

A type of fossil formed when an organism is quickly buried and flattened by enormous pressure, leaving only a thin black film of carbon.

Front

What is Relative Dating?

Back

A dating method that determines the age of fossils based on their position in layers of rock.

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What are Vestigial Structures?

Back

Structures that have lost their original function through evolution.

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What is a mold and cast fossil?

Back

A fossil formed when an organism leaves an impression (mold) in sediment, which can later be filled with minerals to create a cast.

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What is a trace fossil?

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Fossils that provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms, such as footprints or burrows.

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What is the significance of the fossil record?

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It provides evidence of the history of life on Earth and shows how species have changed over time.