Fossils 4/9

Which of these is the best description of fossils?

• A. Dinosaurs are fossils.

• B. Animals can be fossils, but plants cannot.

• C. All things that die become fossils.

• D. Fossils are evidence of past living things.

Which of these items are also considered fossils? Choose all that apply.

• A. A footprint of a Tyrannosaurus Rex

• B. A clamshell found on the beach

• C. The skeleton of a snake found in the desert

• D. The imprint of an extinct type of palm tree

The two images of the crocodile, one fossil (200 million years old) and one living, indicate that crocodiles have remained largely unchanged and are well adapted to their environments. Which of the following best summarizes these ideas?

• They are evolutionary survivors with little change over millions of years and have adapted well to their environments.

• They underwent drastic evolutionary changes leading to different species over time.

• They are modern creatures that have no relation to their ancient ancestors.

• Their physical structure has significantly altered, which reflects poor adaptability.

A class makes a list of the steps to form a fossil, but puts them in the wrong order. 1. The dinosaur died near a river. 2. The dinosaur's bones are covered with many more layers of sediment. 3. The body is covered with mud, and the flesh decays. 4. The bones become fossils over millions of years. Which is the correct order of events to form a fossil?

• 2, 4, 3, 1

• 4, 1, 3, 2

• 3, 4, 2, 1

• 1, 3, 2, 4

Which best describes fossils?

• They are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living things
• They are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living and nonliving things
• They are the preserved bones of ancient animals
• They are impressions of plant leaves in ancient rocks

Imprints or remains of once living organisms, found in sediment, are called ....

• Evolution

• Vestigial Structures

• Homologous Structures

• Fossils