Fossils

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Fossils

50 Terms

1

Fossil Preservation

The process of maintaining and protecting the remains of organisms in a recognizable form.

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2

Rapid Burial

A condition favoring fossil preservation which protects remains from decay and environmental conditions.

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3

Hard Parts

Structures such as bones, teeth, and shells that fossilize better than soft tissues.

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4

Low Oxygen Environments

Areas that inhibit decay by slowing microbial activity, common in deep-sea floors.

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5

Petrification

A mode of fossil preservation where organism material is replaced or filled with minerals.

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6

Permineralization

A process where minerals fill pores or cavities in organic material, often seen in bones and wood.

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7

Casts and Molds

Fossil types that include external molds (impressions of the exterior) and internal molds (formed inside hollow structures).

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8

Carbonization

A mode of preservation where organic materials are compressed under heat and pressure, leaving a carbon residue.

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9

Unaltered Remains

Fossils that retain original material, such as shells, teeth, and bones.

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10

Encasement in Amber

A preservation method where organisms are trapped in tree resin, often preserving fine details.

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11

Mummification

The preservation of organisms in arid environments through drying of tissues.

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12

Radiometric Dating

A technique that measures the radioactive decay of isotopes to determine the age of fossils.

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13

Law of Superposition

In undisturbed layers, the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest at the top.

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14

Faunal Succession

A principle stating that fossils follow a predictable sequence in layered rocks.

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15

Chronological Order of Geological Time

The arrangement of eons, eras, periods, and epochs in Earth’s history.

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16

Phanerozoic Eon

A geological eon characterized by abundant fossil evidence and divided into eras.

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17

Mass Extinctions

Significant events marking the loss of large numbers of species in a relatively short period.

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18

Fossil-Bearing Sedimentary Rocks

Types of rocks that commonly contain fossils, such as limestone, sandstone, and shale.

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19

Trophic Roles

The various roles organisms play in the food chain, such as producers, predators, and scavengers.

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20

Benthic Life Modes

Life forms that inhabit the sea floor, including infaunal and epifaunal organisms.

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21

Planktonic Organisms

Floating organisms that drift in water, as opposed to nektonic active swimmers.

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22

Trace Fossils (Ichnofossils)

Fossils that provide evidence of an organism's behavior, like tracks and burrows.

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23

Hip Height Calculation

A formula used to estimate an organism's hip height based on the length of its footprints.

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24

Head-to-Tail Length Calculation

A method to estimate the length of an organism from the length of its footprint.

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25

Relative Speed Ratio

A calculation used to determine the relative speed of dinosaurs based on stride and hip height.

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26

Tar Preservation

The process where sticky tar traps and preserves entire organisms, often seen at La Brea Tar Pits.

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27

Silicification

A fossilization process where silica replaces the organic material of an organism.

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28

Pyritization

A type of fossil preservation where pyrite replaces organic tissues in low-oxygen environments.

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29

Phosphatization

A preservation method where phosphate minerals replace soft tissues or bones.

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30

Carbonate Rocks

Sedimentary rocks primarily made of carbonate minerals, often rich in marine fossils.

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31

Chert

A silica-rich sedimentary rock known for preserving microfossils like radiolarians.

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32

Coquina

A type of limestone composed primarily of shell fragments cemented together.

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33

Marine Environments

Habitats that include shallow reefs, lagoons, and deep ocean areas.

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34

Terrestrial Environments

Land-based habitats such as forests, grasslands, and deserts.

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35

Freshwater Environments

Habitats that include bodies of water like lakes, rivers, and swamps.

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36

Tiktaalik

A significant fossil that represents the transition from fish to tetrapods.

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37

Archaeopteryx

A key fossil that demonstrates the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds.

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38

Lagerstätten Sites

Locations known for exceptionally preserved fossils, such as Burgess Shale.

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39

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on dead organic matter and contribute to nutrient recycling.

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40

Vagrant Life Modes

Mobile organisms that move actively in their environment.

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41

Sessile Life Modes

Organisms that are stationary and do not move from their location.

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42

Infaunal Life Modes

Organisms that live buried within sediments.

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43

Epifaunal Life Modes

Organisms that live on the surface of sediments.

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44

Surface Impressions

Fossil traces that capture the outline of organisms, such as plant leaves.

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45

Natural Disasters

Events like landslides and volcanic eruptions that contribute to rapid burial of organisms.

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46

Durability Bias

The tendency for hard-bodied organisms to be better represented in the fossil record.

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47

Aquatic Organisms Preservation Advantage

Aquatic organisms have a higher chance of fossilization due to sedimentation.

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48

Physical Destruction of Fossils

Processes like erosion and metamorphism that can damage or destroy fossils.

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49

Subduction Zones

Areas where tectonic plates collide, often leading to fossil destruction.

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50

Sediment Deposition

The process of sediment settling and accumulating in bodies of water, aiding fossil preservation.

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