Types of Fossils

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What is a cast fossil?

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A type of fossil that is a solid copy of an organism's shape, formed when minerals seep into a mold.

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What is a petrified fossil?

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A fossil in which minerals replace all or part of an organism.

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What is a carbon film fossil?

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A type of fossil consisting of an extremely thin coating of carbon on rock.

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Who studies fossils?

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A paleontologist is a scientist who studies fossils to learn about organisms that lived long ago.

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What is a mold fossil?

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A type of fossil that is a hollow area in sediment in the shape of an organism or part of an organism.

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What are preserved remains?

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Fossils that include actual parts of the organism, such as bones or teeth, that have been preserved.

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What is a trace fossil?

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A type of fossil that provides evidence of the activity of organisms, such as footprints or burrows.

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What is the significance of fossils?

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Fossils help scientists understand the history of life on Earth and how organisms have changed over time.

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What can fossils tell us about past environments?

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Fossils can provide clues about the climate, geography, and ecosystems of the past.

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What is the process of fossilization?

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The process by which organic material is preserved over time, often involving mineral replacement or imprinting.