Fossils (5.9D)

A dinosaur fossil is shown. Which question can scientists most likely answer from studying the fossil of the dinosaur?

• What was the pattern on the skin of the dinosaur?
• What was the type of food the dinosaur ate?
• How fast was the heart of the dinosaur beating?
• How many eggs were in the nest of the dinosaur?

A scientist finds the plant fossil shown. Which question can the scientist most likely answer by examining this fossil?

• What was the average monthly rainfall in the area?
• How much water was absorbed by the roots of the plant?
• How much oxygen was in the atmosphere surrounding the plant?
• What was the environment like in the area when the plant was alive?

Woody plants have many different kinds of leaves. Some leaves have very smooth edges, while other leaves have jagged edges, as shown in the diagram. The characteristics of plant leaves vary with the climate in which the plant naturally grows. Some scientists discovered an area with many fossilized leaves of woody plants. The scientists used data from samples of 100 leaf fossils to compare the number with smooth-edged leaves and the number with jagged-edged leaves. The scientists concluded that the plants had grown in a hot climate. Which graph most likely represents the data from the investigation?

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The diagram below shows rock layers next to a road. Layer 3 contains many plant fossils. Layer 3 most likely formed in which of these environments?

• Desert
• Forest
• Ocean
• Tundra

How are fossils formed?

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OFF

What type of rock are most fossils found in?

• sedimentary rock
• fossil fuels
• igneous rock
• sand

Plants can leave fossils.

• True
• False

How do fossils buried for millions of years impact our lives today?

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Why do scientists study fossils?

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OFF

Every living thing becomes a fossil.

• True
• False