Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of ancient living organisms, often found in sedimentary rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

What can fossils tell us about the past?

Back

Fossils provide information about the types of organisms that lived in the past, their environments, and how they evolved over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

An index fossil is a fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period in the geological time scale.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

Which fossil is considered the oldest?

Back

Trilobite.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Front

What can the discovery of a tree fossil in a desert indicate?

Back

It indicates that the area used to be a forest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Front

Why is it important to study fossils from different locations?

Back

Studying fossils from different locations helps us understand the ancient environments and how they changed over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Front

In a sequence of rock layers, where is the oldest layer found?

Back

The oldest layer is found at the bottom.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What is the significance of sedimentary rock in fossil formation?

Back

Sedimentary rock is where most fossils are found because it forms from layers of sediment that can trap and preserve organic material.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What does the term 'paleontology' mean?

Back

Paleontology is the scientific study of fossils and ancient life forms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

What is the difference between a mold and a cast fossil?

Back

A mold fossil is an impression of an organism, while a cast fossil is a replica formed when minerals fill in the mold.