Types of Fossils

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Preserved remains or traces of living things.

Front

What information can be determined by the footprints of dinosaurs?

Back

Their size.

Front

What can scientists infer by studying fossil records?

Back

The diversity of plants and animals, past climates and geological events, and how organisms have evolved.

Front

What type of rock is made of hardened sediment?

Back

Sedimentary rock.

Front

What is a mold fossil?

Back

A fossil that forms when an organism leaves an impression in sediment.

Front

What is a cast fossil?

Back

A fossil that forms when a mold is filled with minerals or other materials.

Front

What are preserved original remains?

Back

Fossils that include the actual remains of the organism, such as bones or teeth.

Front

What are trace fossils?

Back

Fossils that provide evidence of the activity of organisms, such as footprints or burrows.

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 organisms.

Front

How do fossils help scientists understand past climates?

Back

Fossils can indicate the types of plants and animals that lived in a particular area, which helps reconstruct past environments.