Page 105 - Science Course 3 (Book 2)

Mo11-L1b: Fossils: What is in the Ancient Environment?

trace fossil Sometimes when an organism is buried, pressure on
the organism is so great that it drives off the gases
the preserved evidence of the activity of an and liquids from an organism’s tissues, leaving only
organism. the carbon behind.

A carbon f lm is the fossilized carbon outline of an
organism or part of an organism.

paleontologist

scientist who studies fossils.
Replicas, or copies, of organisms can form when the
minerals in groundwater f ll in the pore spaces or
replace the tissues of dead organisms.

Replicas, or copies, of organisms can form when the
minerals in groundwater f ll in the pore spaces or
replace the tissues of dead organisms.

Let’s Begin

Types of Preservation

Sometimes the actual remains of organisms are
preserved as fossils. A mold can form when sediment hardens around a
buried organism, making an impression in the shape
For this to happen, an organism must be completely of the organism.
enclosed in some material over a long period of time
to prevent it from being exposed to air or bacteria.

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