The Fossil Record Life Science Mr. P

Remember… Fossils are one piece of evidence for evolution

What are fossils? Fossils are naturally preserved remains, imprints, or traces of organisms that lived a long time ago A paleontologist is the person who studies fossils

When do fossils form? The animal or plant decomposes, leaving only the hard body structure

There are four types of fossils Molds Casts Trace Fossils Body Fossils

Mold Fossils Mold-imprints from a shell or skin of an animal

Cast Fossils Cast-when these molds are filled with minerals from groundwater

Trace Fossils Trace fossils are the remains of animals from the past, including footprints, bite marks, nests, and animal droppings

Body Fossil Complete organism is preserved, usually from being frozen, in amber, or in tar. Example: Jurassic Park “Mosquito”

Review What kind of fossil is this? A) Casts B) Molds C) Trace Fossils D) Body Fossils