FOSSILS

OVERVIEW Explain what fossils are and how most fossils form. Explain what fossils are and how most fossils form. Describe what fossils tell about how organisms have changed over time. Describe what fossils tell about how organisms have changed over time. Identify and describe different types of fossils. Identify and describe different types of fossils.

FORMATION OF FOSSILS Fossils are preserved remains or traces of living things. Fossils are preserved remains or traces of living things. Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by sediments. Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by sediments. Very few animals or plants become fossils. Very few animals or plants become fossils. Most fossils are hard parts only Most fossils are hard parts only Most fossils are from things living in water. Most fossils are from things living in water. The sediments slowly harden into rock and preserve the shapes of the organisms. The sediments slowly harden into rock and preserve the shapes of the organisms. Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils. Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils.

What do fossils tell us? Fossils provide evidence of how life has changed over time. Fossils provide evidence of how life has changed over time. Fossils help scientists infer how Earth’s surface has changed. Fossils help scientists infer how Earth’s surface has changed. Fossils are clues to what past environments were like. Fossils are clues to what past environments were like.

The Fossil Record and life The fossil record provides evidence about the history of life on Earth. The fossil record also shows that different groups of organisms have changed over time. The fossil record provides evidence about the history of life on Earth. The fossil record also shows that different groups of organisms have changed over time. Evolution is the gradual change in living things over long periods of time. Evolution is the gradual change in living things over long periods of time. Extinct is if an organism no longer exists and will never again live on Earth. Extinct is if an organism no longer exists and will never again live on Earth.

Fossil Formation

Generally following the death of a living organism, first the soft tissues become deformed and decay. Then later, hard parts such as bones and teeth are preserved. Burial should occur fairly rapidly to prevent deformation of the bones 2. After long periods of time, bones become buried under the lower layers of sediment and there, the remains of the living being become fossilized. 3. As the land above is slowly eroded away, the rock layer in which the fossil formed starts to proceed towards the surface. 4. The fossil approaching the surface either appears by itself or is found by paleontologists during their investigation

Types of fossils Molds and casts Molds and casts Petrified fossils Petrified fossils Carbon films Carbon films Trace fossils Trace fossils Preserved remains Preserved remains

Molds and Casts Most common type of fossil. Most common type of fossil. Both copy the shape of the organism. Both copy the shape of the organism. A mold is a hollow area of sediment in the shape of the organism. A mold is a hollow area of sediment in the shape of the organism. A cast is a copy of the shape of an organism. A cast is a copy of the shape of an organism.

Molds and Casts

Petrification Fossils in which minerals replace all or part of an organism. Fossils in which minerals replace all or part of an organism. How does this happen? How does this happen? Water rich in dissolved minerals seeped into spaces, evaporated, leaving the hardened minerals behind. Water rich in dissolved minerals seeped into spaces, evaporated, leaving the hardened minerals behind. Example – petrified wood Example – petrified wood

Petrified Wood

Carbon Films Carbon film is an extremely thin coating of carbon on rock. Carbon film is an extremely thin coating of carbon on rock. How does this happen? How does this happen? All organisms are made of carbon. When they are buried, the materials that make up the organism evaporates. These gases escape leaving carbon behind. All organisms are made of carbon. When they are buried, the materials that make up the organism evaporates. These gases escape leaving carbon behind.

Carbon Films

Trace or Print Trace or Print fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms. Trace or Print fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms. Examples Examples A footprint provide clues about the size and behavior, the speed, how many legs it walked on, lived alone or with others. A footprint provide clues about the size and behavior, the speed, how many legs it walked on, lived alone or with others. A trail or burrow can give clues about the size and shape of the organism, where it lived, and how it obtained food. A trail or burrow can give clues about the size and shape of the organism, where it lived, and how it obtained food.

Trace Fossils

Actual Preserved Remains Preservation of remains with little or no change. Preservation of remains with little or no change. Preservation material Preservation material Tar Tar The sticky oil that seeps from Earth’s surface. Tar soaks into the organisms bones, preserving the bones from decay. The sticky oil that seeps from Earth’s surface. Tar soaks into the organisms bones, preserving the bones from decay. Amber Amber The hardened resin, or sap, of trees. The amber seals the organism from the air protecting it from decay. The hardened resin, or sap, of trees. The amber seals the organism from the air protecting it from decay. Ice Ice

Preserved Remains

Amber.

Coprolites

Microfossils

Animal Timelines

Mammal Timeline

By Diana Johanson