Fossils

• What are fossils?

  Fossils are remains of ancient organisms.
• What can well-preserved fossils show us?

  They can show what ancient creatures looked like.
• What do fossils demonstrate about living things?

  They show how living things have evolved.
• What are fossils the remains of?

  Fossils are the remains of plants and animals.
• How long ago do fossils come from?

  Fossils come from thousands of years ago.
• What do fossils provide evidence for?

  They provide evidence that organisms have changed.
• How do fossils tell us about the evolution of organisms?

  They show changes in organisms over time.
• What is one way fossils form in rocks?

  Fossils form through gradual replacement by minerals.
• What types of things can become fossils?

  Teeth, shells, bones, etc., can become fossils.
• What happens to organisms as they decay?

  They are eventually replaced by minerals.
• How do surrounding sediments affect fossils?

  They can turn to rock and preserve fossils.
• What is one way fossils can be preserved?

  Fossils can be preserved in amber.
• What can foot prints tell us about ancient organisms?

  They can show the behavior of ancient organisms.
• What is a condition for fossil preservation?

  There must be no decay for preservation.
• What is a characteristic of fossils formed in clay?

  They can be well-preserved and detailed.
• How do fossils from casts and impressions form?

  They form when organisms are buried in soft material.
• What happens to the material around a buried organism?

  It hardens and preserves the organism.
• What can happen to the shape of an organism in sediment?

  It can leave a mold or cast of the organism.
• What is a condition for fossil preservation in places with no decay?

  Conditions must be suitable for preservation.
• What is a challenge for decay microorganisms in certain environments?

  Conditions may be too cold for decay.
• What is a factor that can prevent decay in fossils?

  Low temperatures can prevent decay.
• What is a characteristic of peat bogs regarding decay?

  They are too acidic for decay microorganisms.
• Who was found preserved in a bog?

  Peter Marsh was found in a bog.
• What is a common question about the origin of life?

  No one knows how life began on Earth.
• How do fossils contribute to our understanding of life’s history?

  They show how much organisms have changed.
• What do fossils help us understand about ancient environments?

  Fossils help us understand ancient ecosystems.
• What do fossils reveal about the past?

  Fossils reveal the diversity of life in the past.
• How do fossils help in studying evolution?

  They provide evidence of evolutionary changes.
• What is the significance of studying fossils?

  Studying fossils helps understand life's history.
• Why is the study of fossils important for science?

  It provides insights into past life forms.
• How do fossils contribute to our understanding of biodiversity?

  They show the variety of life forms over time.
• What do fossils indicate about the Earth's history?

  Fossils indicate changes in Earth's environments.
• How do fossils help in understanding climate change?

  They provide evidence of past climate conditions.
• What role do fossils play in geology?

  Fossils help date and correlate rock layers.
• What is the relationship between fossils and evolution?

  Fossils provide evidence for evolutionary theory.
• Why are fossils considered important in biology?

  They help understand the history of life.
• How do fossils enhance our knowledge of extinct species?

  They provide insights into their characteristics and behaviors.
• What do fossils tell us about the past ecosystems?

  Fossils reveal the structure of past ecosystems.
• How do fossils contribute to our understanding of extinction events?

  They provide evidence of species that went extinct.
• What can the study of fossils reveal about environmental changes?

  It can reveal how environments have shifted over time.