Exploring Fossils: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

Introduction:

How do these organisms get inside a rock? Did they grow there? Of course not, it’s a fossil. We know this now, but that was not always the case. Fossils once inspired myths.

Can you imagine finding a fossil of a dinosaur? What if you didn’t know dinosaurs were no longer living? That would be scary.

Let’s discuss the fossils of plants and animals in detail.

Explanation:

Fossils

Have you ever left your footprint in the mud and seen later that it had hardened? Well, if it were filled with slit or clay and compressed, then it could become a fossil. It would be a trace fossil because the footprint is evidence of animal activity that is preserved.

Another type of fossil is called a body fossil. It’s the remains of a plant and animal that were trapped under the dirt and preserved over a long period of time.

The word ‘’fossil’’ comes from the Latin word ‘’Fossilis‘’ meaning ‘’obtaining by digging.’’

Fossils are preserved remains of organisms. 

They are preserved in two ways. They can be the actual remains of organisms, and they can also be a trace of one.

These organisms lived in Earth’s past.

A variety of fossil types are shown here.

Preserved remains:

a. Teeth of a cow

b. Nearly complete dinosaur skeleton embedded in rock

c. Seashell preserved in a rock

Preserved traces: 

d. Dinosaur tracks in the mud

e. Fossil animal burrow in the rock

f. Fossil feces from a meat-eating dinosaur in Canada

How Are Fossils Formed?

Fossilization is the process by which fossils form. Most fossils form in sedimentary rocks.

Most fossils form when an organism dies. Their bodies get buried in sediment. Layers of sediment slowly build up, and the sediment is buried with even more sediment.

Over time, the sediment turns into sedimentary rocks. The remains of the plant or animal also turn to rock. Minerals replace the remains, and they turn into stones.

Did You Know?

People who study fossils are called paleontologists.

Summary

• The word “fossil” comes from the Latin word “Fossilis” meaning “obtaining by digging.”
• Fossils are preserved remains of organisms.
• They are preserved in two ways. They can be the actual remains of organisms, and they can also be a trace of one.
• These organisms lived in Earth’s past.
• Mostly, fossils that are found are hard parts of organisms, and these hard parts include teeth, bones, and shells.
• Fossilization is the process by which fossils form.
• Most fossils form in sedimentary rocks.
• People who study fossils are called paleontologists.