Phosphorus and Fossils Flashcard

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What is a trace fossil?

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A trace fossil is a type of fossil that shows the activity of an organism, such as footprints, burrows, or feces.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is artificial selection?

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Artificial selection is the intentional breeding of organisms by humans for specific traits.

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What is carbon-14 dating?

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Carbon-14 dating is a method used to determine the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the amount of carbon-14 it contains.

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What is the half-life of a radioactive substance?

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The half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

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What are index fossils?

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Index fossils are fossils that are widespread and help identify specific time periods in Earth's history.

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Why are index fossils important?

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Index fossils are important because they help geologists and paleontologists date rock layers and understand the timeline of Earth's history.

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What is the significance of melanin in frogs around Chernobyl?

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Melanin helps protect frogs from radiation, demonstrating natural selection in response to environmental changes.

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What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

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Natural selection occurs naturally based on environmental pressures, while artificial selection is driven by human choices.

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How do fossils form?

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Fossils form when organisms are buried by sediment, which hardens over time, preserving their shape.