6.3.8

Fossils

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Fossils

Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient life. Fossils are found in rocks and have been preserved by natural processes. There are 3 different ways of forming fossils:

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Hardening soft materials

  • The hardening of soft materials can produce casts or impressions, such as footprints.
  • For example, clay hardens around an organism that is buried within it. This organism then decays, leaving behind a cast of itself.
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Preservation when decay is not possible

  • Where decomposers cannot act, preservation is possible.
  • Decomposers cannot operate in glaciers (extreme, low temperatures) and peat bogs (extreme acidity).
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Mineral replacement

  • Hard parts of organisms are gradually replaced by minerals as they decay slowly, creating a rock-like substance.
  • When the surrounding sediment turns to rock, the teeth-shaped mineral structure remains distinct (different).

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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