Unit 4: Section 1: Fossils

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to fossils and paleontology as discussed in the lecture notes.

Paleontologist

A scientist who studies fossils.

Fossil

The preserved remains of an organism.

Sedimentary Rock

The type of rock where fossils are typically found.

Trace Fossil

Fossils capturing footprints, trails, or burrows of once living organisms.

Petrified Fossil

Fossil where minerals are absorbed, turning the object to 'stone'.

Index Fossil

A type of fossil used to determine a rock's age or period.

Carbon Film Fossil

Fossilized outline formed from remaining carbon after an organism decays.

Mold

A type of fossil that is a hollow area in sediment in the shape of an organism.

Cast

A fossil formed by filling a mold with sediment, representing a copy of the organism.

Environmental Conditions

watery environments for preservation.

Evidence of Fossils tell us….

provide insights about the history of life and past environments on Earth and how plants and animals have changed over time.

Evolution

Change over time in organisms.

Preserved Fossil

A type of fossil that has been maintained in its original form, usually in tar, amber or ice.

How do most fossils form?

through sedimentary rock processes, where organisms are buried under layers of sediment, which over time, hardens and preserves their remains.