Fossils & Extinction

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a living organism from the past.

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What does extinction mean?

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Extinction is when a species no longer exists anywhere on Earth.

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What can fossils tell us about the past?

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Fossils can provide information about what animals and plants lived in a certain area, their environment, and how they lived.

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What is a microfossil?

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A microfossil is a tiny fossil that can only be seen with a microscope, often used to study ancient environments.

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What is the fossilization process?

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The fossilization process involves the burial of an organism, the accumulation of sediment, and the gradual replacement of organic material with minerals.

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What is a predator?

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A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals.

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What is an omnivore?

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An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and animals.

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Which animals are known to be found in the La Brea Tar Pits?

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Animals like the mammoth, saber-toothed cat, giant sloth, and mountain lion have been found in the La Brea Tar Pits.

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What is sediment?

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Sediment is small particles of rock and soil that can accumulate and help in the fossilization process.

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What is the significance of fossils in science?

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Fossils provide scientific evidence of past life and help scientists understand the history of life on Earth.