How fossils form and basic paleontology terms such as excavation, cast, and index fossil, one concept per card.
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- What is a fossil?
- The preserved remains or traces of an organism from the past.
- What is fossilization?
- The process that converts the remains of organisms into fossils over millions of years.
- How do fossils typically form?
- Organisms are buried in sediment, and over time minerals replace the original material or the sediment hardens around the remains.
- What is permineralization?
- A fossilization process where minerals seep into the pores of bones or wood and harden, making the material stronger.
- What is replacement in fossil formation?
- A process where the original material of a fossil is completely dissolved and replaced by other minerals.
- What is an amber fossil?
- An organism, usually an insect, that is preserved inside fossilized tree resin.
- What does mummification mean in paleontology?
- Preservation of an organism by drying, where soft tissues remain intact for thousands of years.
- What is a mold fossil?
- A fossil that forms when an organism is buried and later dissolved, leaving an empty cavity in the shape of the organism.
- What is a cast fossil?
- A fossil that forms when sediment or minerals fill a mold and harden, creating a solid replica of the original organism.
- What is an imprint fossil?
- A fossil showing only a thin outline or impression of an organism, usually a leaf or small creature, pressed into sediment.
- What is an index fossil?
- A fossil of an organism that lived during a specific time period and is found in rocks across wide areas, used to determine rock age.
- What is paleontology?
- The scientific study of fossils and ancient life.
- What is a paleontologist?
- A scientist who studies fossils and ancient organisms.
- What is excavation in paleontology?
- The careful removal of fossils from rock layers using tools and scientific methods.
- What is a fossil site?
- A location where fossils are found and can be extracted for study.