Fossils

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What is a fossil?

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The preserved remains of an animal, plant, or organism from the past.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is a true fossil?

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A fossil that preserves the entire body of an organism, such as a butterfly trapped in amber.

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What is a trace fossil?

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An imprint or evidence of an organism's activity, such as footprints or burrows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is a mold fossil?

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A fossil that forms when an organism leaves an impression in sediment.

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What is a cast fossil?

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A fossil that forms when a mold is filled with minerals or sediment, creating a replica of the organism.

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Why do scientists study fossils?

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To learn about the past, including what organisms lived, how they lived, and their environments.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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What can fossils tell us about extinct species?

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Fossils provide evidence of the physical characteristics and behaviors of species that no longer exist.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is an example of a trace fossil?

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Fossilized footprints of an extinct bird or tracks made by a lizard.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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How do fossils form?

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Fossils form through processes like sedimentation, mineralization, and preservation in amber or ice.

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What is the significance of studying fossil layers?

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Studying fossil layers helps scientists understand the timeline of life on Earth and evolutionary changes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1