Earth History Fossils 3-4

Which of the following is NOT a reason for gaps in the fossil record?

• Many organisms do not have structures that can be fossilized.

• There were periods of time when no organisms died.

• There are lots of fossils that we haven't found yet

• Some geological events destroyed fossils that were in the rock layers.

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Which of the following is an example of a trace fossil?

• A skeleton preserved in a tar pit

• A footprint of an extinct animal

• a mummy buried in ice

• An insect preserved in amber

Which of the following terms best describes body fossils?

• Rare

• Widespread

• Made of Stone

• Mummified

Why are deserts, tar pits, and ice good places to find body fossils?

• Most ancient organisms lived in these environments.

• Bacteria and other decomposers cannot thrive in these environments

• Many ancient organisms traveled to these places to die.

• The largest ancient organisms lived in these environments

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In order to form a fossil, an organism must usually _____quickly after it dies

• Decompose

• Go extinct

• Rot

• Be buried

What can you conclude from the fact that so many fossils involve shells, skeletons, and teeth?

• Most organisms on earth have shells, skeletons, or teeth.

• Bacteria and decomposers consume these parts first after an animal dies.

• These parts decay slower than other body parts.

• These parts are more likely to be buried in ice than other body parts.

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Although cast fossils looks like an original bone or shell, how is it different?

• It's made of rock.

• It contains skin, hair, and other remnants.

• It has been liquefied.

• It is completely colorless.

What two forces can turn fossils into fossil fuels?

• Lift and thrust

• Wind and rain

• Temperature and pressure

• Motion and time

Geologic processes such as _______ help expose fossils once buried.

• compaction

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

• blizzards

As time goes on, specimens in the fossil record become more _________.

• confusing

• complex

• simple

• common

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