Fossils

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What is a carbon film fossil?

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A type of fossil preservation that shows a thin carbon outline of the original organism.

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What does it mean if an organism is extinct?

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It means that the organism no longer exists on Earth.

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What is the fossil record?

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The fossil record is the history of life on Earth, including past environments and how different groups of organisms have changed over time.

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What is a trace fossil?

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A type of fossil that provides evidence of the activity of organisms, such as footprints or burrows.

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What is the relative age of a rock?

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The relative age of a rock is its age compared to the ages of other rocks.

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What is a cast fossil?

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

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What are original remains?

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Fossils that include the actual remains of the organism, such as bones or teeth.

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What is petrification?

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The process by which organic material becomes fossilized through the replacement of its original material with minerals.

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What is a mold fossil?

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A fossil that forms when an organism leaves an impression in sediment, creating a cavity in the shape of the organism.

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What is the significance of studying fossils?

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Studying fossils helps scientists understand the history of life, evolution, and past environments on Earth.