SC Chap 4.5 Review

Which of the following best describes why fossils are important to scientists?

• They are pretty to look at

• They provide clues about extinct species.

• They can be sold for a lot of money

• They make good decorations

What does the term "extinct" mean when talking about a species?

• It's very rare

• It's dangerous

• It no longer exists

• It's changing quickly

Approximately how many species are alive on Earth today?

• Hundreds

• Thousands

• Hundreds of thousands

• Over one million

Which of these is NOT typically considered a fossil?

• Footprints

• Skeletons

• living plants

• Preserved insects in amber

What is the first step in how most fossils form?

• An animal or plant dies

• Sediments turn to rock

• Minerals fill empty spaces

• The fossil is discovered

Which of these is NOT an example of sediment?

• Sand

• Water

• Shell bits

• Small rocks

Why do hard parts of animals usually become fossils more often than soft parts?

• Hard parts taste better

• Hard parts decay slower than soft parts.

• Soft parts turn into rock faster

• Scientists prefer hard parts

What is a mold fossil?

• A fossil made of fuzzy green stuff

• A space in rock shaped like a living thing

• A fossil filled with minerals

• A fossil of a small animal

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

• mold is empty, while a cast is filled with hardened minerals

• mold is of plants, while a cast is of animals

• mold is older than a cast

• There is no difference

What are dinosaur "bones" from cast fossils actually made of?

• Original bone

• Hardened minerals

• Tree sap

• Tar