fossils

Front

What does it mean when a species is considered extinct?

Back

It means that there are no longer any living members of that species.

Front

What is the fossil record?

Back

The fossil record is the history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, showing how different organisms have changed over time.

Front

Which of the following is NOT a fossil: a petrified dinosaur bone, a footprint captured in mud, or a seashell found on the beach?

Back

A seashell found on the beach is NOT a fossil.

Front

What can scientists learn by studying fossils?

Back

Scientists can learn about how the Earth's surface and climate have changed, the appearance and structures of organisms, and how species have evolved over time.

Front

What do most fossils form from?

Back

Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by sediment that hardens into rock over time.

Front

What is sediment?

Back

Sediment is small particles of rock, soil, and organic material that can accumulate and eventually form sedimentary rock.

Front

What is a petrified fossil?

Back

A petrified fossil is a type of fossil where organic material has been replaced by minerals, turning it into stone.

Front

What is the difference between a fossil and a trace fossil?

Back

A fossil is the remains of an organism, while a trace fossil is evidence of an organism's activity, like footprints or burrows.

Front

How do fossils help us understand past environments?

Back

Fossils provide clues about the types of organisms that lived in an area and the conditions of the environment at that time.

Front

What is an example of a trace fossil?

Back

An example of a trace fossil is a dinosaur footprint.