The fossil record provides evidence for evolution | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Which of these things is a fossil?

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Answer explanation

A fossil is the mineralised remains of a dead organism. The original remains of a dead organism have been replaced by minerals inside a rock.

Which of these things could become a fossil?

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Answer explanation

Fossils are made from the remains of organisms, so animals and plants can become fossils but rocks and metal cannot.

Which of these things could not become a fossil?

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Answer explanation

Fossils are made from the remains of organisms, or traces left behind by organisms. Bacteria are microorganisms and can become fossils such as stromatolites. Traces such as dung can also become fossils.

Who correctly explains why it is unlikely that a jellyfish could become a fossil?

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Answer explanation

Jellyfish have no bones or other hard structures to form body fossils. They might form a trace fossil, but body fossils are most likely to be preserved.

True or false? Every organism that dies becomes a fossil.

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Answer explanation

Fossilisation requires particular conditions, so is quite a rare event. Very few organisms end up becoming fossils after they die.

Put the statements in order to explain how a dead organism can be turned into a fossil.

• More layers of sediment build up on top.

• Minerals in the water replace the remains.

• The pressure turns the sediment to rock.

• The organism's remains are buried in a layer of sediment.

• Water seeps through and dissolves the remains of the organism.

Answer explanation

The process starts with a dead organism being buried in sediment, which becomes rock, and ends with the mineralised remains forming a fossil inside the rock.