Fossils

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, often found in sedimentary rock.

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What is a true fossil?

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A true fossil is the actual remains of a plant or animal, such as bones or shells, preserved in rock.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is a trace fossil?

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A trace fossil is an imprint or evidence of an organism's activity, such as footprints or burrows.

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What is a mold fossil?

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A mold fossil is a hollow impression left in sediment after an organism decays, showing the shape of the organism.

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What is a cast fossil?

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A cast fossil forms when a mold is filled with minerals or sediment, creating a replica of the original organism.

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What can fossils tell us about the past?

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Fossils provide information about the types of organisms that lived, their environment, and how they evolved over time.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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Why are fossils important to scientists?

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Scientists study fossils to understand the history of life on Earth, including how species have changed and adapted.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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What is an example of a true fossil?

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An example of a true fossil is a dinosaur bone or a preserved insect in amber.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is an example of a trace fossil?

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An example of a trace fossil is a dinosaur footprint or a burrow made by an ancient animal.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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How do fossils form?

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Fossils form when organisms are buried by sediment, which hardens over time, preserving their shape.