Exploring Fossils and Their Formation

What is one of the evidences for the theory of evolution?

• Photographs of ancient animals

• Remains found inside the Earth

• Eyewitness accounts

• Ancient paintings

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What are fossils in simple terms?

• Living animals

• Remains of once-living organisms

• Rocks and minerals

• Footprints of modern animals

Which of the following can be considered a fossil?

• A decomposed leaf

• A fresh footprint

• A bone turned into stone

• A living tree

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What must happen for an animal to become fossilized?

• It must be buried underground before decomposing

• It must be eaten by predators

• It must be frozen

• It must be exposed to sunlight

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What are sediments?

• Layers of decomposed flesh

• Layers of water

• Layers of deposited materials like sand, mud, or stones

• Layers of air

How do bones turn into stone during fossilization?

• By being exposed to air

• By being eaten by microorganisms

• By being replaced by minerals in water

• By being frozen

What happens to the water that fills the spaces left by dissolved bones?

• It evaporates, leaving minerals behind

• It gets absorbed by plants

• It remains there forever

• It turns into ice

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What are amber fossils?

• Mineral deposits

• Footprints in mud

• Bones turned into stone

• Hardened resins containing trapped insects

Why do insects trapped in amber not decompose?

• Because they are frozen

• Because the sticky resin prevents bacteria from moving

• Because they are in water

• Because they are exposed to air

How have fossils helped scientists?

• By destroying old species

• By creating new species

• By predicting characteristics and behaviors of extinct species

• By providing food

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