Fossils

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What is a fossil?

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

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What can fossils tell us about the past?

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

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What is an index fossil?

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

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Which fossil is considered the oldest?

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Trilobite.

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

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It indicates that the area used to be a forest.

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Why is it important to study fossils from different locations?

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

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

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The oldest layer is found at the bottom.

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What is the significance of sedimentary rock in fossil formation?

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

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What does the term 'paleontology' mean?

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

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

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