Geologic Time Fossils

What type of fossil formation are most likely to preserve soft parts of the body? (pick 2)

• Mud

• Sand

• Ice

• Resin (amber)

Answer explanation

The ice will freeze the body preserving it for as long as it's frozen. Resin is like a sap/glue substance that completely covers the small body.

What type of fossil has sediments filled in a dead organism and becomes its shape.

• Mold

• Cast

• Original Remains

• Petrified Remains

Answer explanation

If it helps you think of a cake and a cake pan.

Mold = Cake Pan & Cast = Cake

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What type of rock forms fossils?

• Intrusive Igneous

• Extrusive Igneous

• Sedimentary

• Metamorphic

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What will most likely form a fossil?

• Being exposed on the surface (not buried)

• Being eaten by a predator

• Being washed up on a beach

• Being buried quickly

The diagram represents the rock layers and fossils found in four separate rock outcrops.

Which fossil is the best index fossil?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

How old is the fossil in layer 7?

• about 1 million years old

• about 205 million years old

• about 500 million years old

• about 300 million years old

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What has to be true about an index fossil?

• It lived for a long period of time.

• It lived for a short period of time.

• It is hard to find.

• It can only be found in one location.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Mason and Clara are geologists who are digging for fossils. As they locate fossils, they map the location of them to help other geologists understand Earth’s history and how life on Earth has changed over time. Mason locates a gastropod and makes the claim, “Gastropods are index fossils”. Clara disagrees with Mason. Which of the following best supports Clara’s disagreement?

• If a fossil is to be considered an index fossil, the organism must have lived only a short period of time. Since the Gastropod lived a long period of time it is not an index fossil.

• To be an index fossil, the fossil of the organism must be found in many rock layers. Since the Gastropod is not found in every layer, it cannot be an index fossil.

• An index fossil must be found over a wide area of the earth. Since the Gastropod is widely spread, it cannot be an index fossil.

• To be classified an index fossil, the fossil must be unique. Since the Gastropod is not unique, it cannot be an index fossil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which fossil makes a good index fossil: it is in many locations but existed for a short period of time

• a

• b

• c

• d

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which part of an animal will most likely form a fossil?

• Heart

• Teeth

• Skin

• Muscles

Answer explanation

All of the soft parts of the body will decompose. Things like teeth and bones will last the longest and will be the most likely to form a fossil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1