Evidence of Evolution

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Biological Evolution Noun

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[by-oh-loj-i-kuhl ev-uh-loo-shun]

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Biological Evolution

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The change over time in populations of related organisms.

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Example: Different beak shapes of finches show how species adapt over time to their environment.

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Fossil Noun

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[fos-uhl]

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Fossil

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The preserved remains or traces of an organism from the past.

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Example: The image shows how a dinosaur becomes a fossil as layers of sediment cover it over time.

Front

Fossil Record Noun

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[fos-uhl rek-erd]

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Fossil Record

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The collection of all the fossils ever discovered on Earth.

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Example: Fossils form when organisms are buried by sediment, preserving their remains over time.

Front

Mineralization Noun

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[min-er-uh-luh-zey-shun]

Back

Mineralization

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A process where minerals in water fill the spaces in an organism's tissues, preserving its internal structures.

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Example: This fossil shows mineralization where minerals filled spaces in the shell, preserving its structure.

Front

Carbonization Noun

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[kahr-buh-nuh-zey-shun]

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Carbonization

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A process where pressure removes a dead organism's liquids and gases, leaving only a carbon outline or film.

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Example: A leaf fossil showing carbonization, where only the carbon outline remains.

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Mold Noun

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[mohld]

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Mold

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An impression of an organism left in sediment that has hardened.

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Example: A dinosaur footprint in sediment shows how molds form as impressions of organisms.

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Cast Noun

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[kast]

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Cast

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A fossil that forms when a mold is filled with more sediment that hardens.

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Example: A cast fossil forms when a mold is filled with sediment, creating a replica of the organism.

Front

Trace Fossil Noun

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[treys fos-uhl]

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Trace Fossil

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The preserved evidence of the activity of an organism, such as footprints.

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Example: A footprint fossil shows evidence of an animal's activity, like walking.

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Original Material Noun

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[uh-rij-uh-nl muh-teer-ee-uhl]

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Original Material

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Original tissues of an organism that are preserved, often by being buried in the absence of oxygen.

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Example: An insect trapped in amber shows how original material can be preserved over time.

Front

Relative-Age Dating Noun

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[rel-uh-tiv eyj dey-ting]

Back

Relative-Age Dating

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A method of determining the relative order in which rock layers were deposited.

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Example: The image shows rock layers in a cross-section, helping students understand how scientists determine the order of deposition in relative-age dating.