2.5.10

The Formation of 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

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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