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GCSE Fossils

Fossils provide evidence of plants and animals that lived in past environments. They are formed when plant or animal remains are quickly buried and preserved in sediment. Over time, the sediment hardens into rock, protecting the remains. A paleontologist studies and collects fossils to learn about past life and environmental conditions. The formation of fossils involves several steps: an organism's death and burial, decomposition of soft tissues leaving the skeleton, sedimentation and compaction into rock, and mineralization which replaces the original remains.

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34 views

GCSE Fossils

Fossils provide evidence of plants and animals that lived in past environments. They are formed when plant or animal remains are quickly buried and preserved in sediment. Over time, the sediment hardens into rock, protecting the remains. A paleontologist studies and collects fossils to learn about past life and environmental conditions. The formation of fossils involves several steps: an organism's death and burial, decomposition of soft tissues leaving the skeleton, sedimentation and compaction into rock, and mineralization which replaces the original remains.

Uploaded by

ameerul_hazeeq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Fossil

What=fossils
remaintell
ofus?
plant or animals preserve for many years ago.

They are rare


Feature = eatenand
of animals or plants
rotten lived
(fossil)
at different time with changing environment.
How they are preserved? = buried quickly under sand or mud

Paleontologist = person who study and collect fossils

Process of fossil formation

1. (DEATH) (plant or animal) -> falls onto mud or sand.


2. More mud or sand bury
3. (DECOMPOSTION) Bacteria break down the soft part of the body
(leaving skeleton)
4. (SEDIMENTARY ROCK FORMATION) Mud/sand around -> rocks
5. (PETRIFICATION) = CHANGING OF SUBSTANCE = ORIGINAL SKELETON IS
REPLACED BY MINERAL FROM THE WATER
Mineral from underground water seeps into skeleton space. Mineral
becomes the hard copy of the original skeleton.
6. (EROSION & EXPOSURE). Rocks around is eroded= exposing fossil
Dust + gas =
solar sytem

Remaining
of dust + gas

Relative dating from rock strata:

Sedimentary rocks = built up layers (million years) = called strata.

Oldest rock layer = bottom.


Youngest rock layer = top
GTS=
classification
based on
time period
Selam

Died in a
river flood=
Died >

Toumai

Rocks
around = 7
millions
1. Exa
min
e
the
rock

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