Fossils and Evolution

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What are fossils and what do they tell us?

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11 Terms

1

What are fossils and what do they tell us?

Fossils are evidence of past life that provide indightd into evolutionary history and the biological diversity of ancient organisms.

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2

Under what conditions do fossils typically form?

Fossils generally form in low-lying, sediment-rich environments like swamps, estuaries, and lakes, where rapid sediment accumulation occurs

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3

What role do hard body parts play in fossilization?

Only hard, mineralized body parts like bones, teeth, and shells tend to fossilize because soft tissues decompose quickly

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4

How do low-oxygen environments affect fossil formation?

Low-oxygen (anoxic) environments slow decomposition by limiting scavengers and microorganisms, increasing the chances of fossilization

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5

How does erosion affect fossil discovery and destruction?

Erosion can expose fossils for discovery but can also destroy them if they are not found in time.

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6

What is permineralization in fossilization?

Permineralization is when minerals like silica or calcite gradually replace an organism's hard parts, such as bones, to form a fossil.

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7

What are compression fossils?

Compression fossils form when organic material is compressed by sediment, creating a thin carbon film that preserves the organism’s outline, especially in plants.

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8

What is the difference between cast and mold fossils?

Molds form when an organism decomposes, leaving a cavity, while casts form when that cavity is filled with minerals, creating a 3D replica.

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9

What are trace fossils?

Trace fossils capture evidence of an organism’s activity, such as footprints, burrows, or coprolites (fossilized excrement).

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10

How do fossils contribute to our understanding of evolutionary biology?

Fossils provide direct evidence of ancient organisms, evolutionary transitions, and allow us to infer relationships between extinct and living species.

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11

What biases exist in fossil formation?

Fossils are more likely to form from common organisms, in lowland/marine environments, and from organisms with hard body parts, leading to geographical and structural biases

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