8.4.2 Fossils

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What is a permineralized fossil?

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A fossil that forms when minerals in water slowly replace the organism's tissues.

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How do most fossils form?

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Most fossils form when living things die, get buried, and lithified.

Front

What is a cast fossil?

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A type of fossil that forms when a mold of an organism is filled with minerals or sediment.

Front

What is mineral replacement in fossils?

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A process where the original materials of an organism are replaced by minerals, such as silica.

Front

What conditions are necessary for an organism to become a carbon film fossil?

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The organism must be subjected to heat, pressure, and no oxygen.

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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.

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What is a preserved remain fossil?

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Fossils that include actual remains of the organism, such as bones or soft tissues, often found in amber or ice.

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What is lithification?

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The process of turning sediment into rock, which is essential for fossil formation.

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What is a trace fossil?

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Fossils that provide evidence of the activities of organisms, such as footprints or burrows.

Front

What role do minerals play in fossilization?

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Minerals can replace organic material or fill in molds to create fossils.