Types of Fossils

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, typically found in sedimentary rock.

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What are the two main types of fossils?

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Body fossils and trace fossils.

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What is a body fossil?

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Actual remains of a part of the animal or plant, such as bones, teeth, or shells.

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What is a trace fossil?

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Fossilized evidence of an organism's activity, such as footprints, burrows, or nests.

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What is a cast fossil?

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

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What is a mold fossil?

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A mold fossil is an imprint left in rock that shows the shape of an organism.

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What type of fossil is an imprint in a rock?

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Cast or mold.

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What type of fossil is a 3-D fossil of a shell?

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Mold, cast, or imprint.

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What type of fossil are fossilized dinosaur eggs?

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Trace fossil.

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What is the role of a paleontologist?

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A paleontologist finds, preserves, and interprets fossil remains.