Phosphorus and Fossils Flashcard

Front

What is a preserved remain?

Back

An organism completely enclosed in some material.

Front

What is mineral replacement?

Back

Copies of an organism can form when minerals in groundwater fill in the pore spaces of dead organisms.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

A process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What are trace fossils?

Back

Fossils that show the activity of an organism, such as footprints or burrows.

Front

What significant event did NOT happen during Precambrian time?

Back

Asteroid wiped out most living things.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

The preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism.

Front

What is the significance of atmospheric oxygen increase during Precambrian time?

Back

It allowed for the evolution of more complex life forms.

Front

What are the different types of fossils?

Back

Preserved remains, trace fossils, and mineralized fossils.

Front

How do fossils form?

Back

Fossils form through processes like sedimentation, mineral replacement, and preservation in amber.

Front

What is the role of sediment in fossil formation?

Back

Sediment can bury organisms, protecting them from decay and allowing fossilization.