Mahoney - Fossils Notes Quiz

1. A fossil is formed from....

Volcanoes

The remains of plants and animals preserved by natural causes in the Earth's crust

Igneous rock

Seawater that has dried and formed crystals

A fossil is formed from the remains of plants and animals preserved by natural causes in the Earth's crust. This means that when plants and animals die, their remains can be preserved over time through processes such as sedimentation, mineralization, and fossilization. These preserved remains can then become fossils, providing valuable evidence of past life on Earth.

Explanation

A fossil is formed from the remains of plants and animals preserved by natural causes in the Earth's crust. This means that when plants and animals die, their remains can be preserved over time through processes such as sedimentation, mineralization, and fossilization. These preserved remains can then become fossils, providing valuable evidence of past life on Earth.

2. This type of fossil shows activities of an organism. They can include footprints, trails, and/or burrows.

Trace fossils

Molds

Casts

Permineralized remains

Trace fossils are a type of fossil that provide evidence of the activities of an organism rather than the organism itself. These fossils can include footprints, trails, and burrows, which give insight into the behavior and movements of ancient organisms. Unlike molds and casts, which are formed by the preservation of the physical remains of an organism, trace fossils offer a different perspective by showcasing the interactions and behaviors of organisms in their environment. Permineralized remains, on the other hand, refer to fossils that have undergone a process of mineralization, which is unrelated to the activities of an organism.

Explanation

Trace fossils are a type of fossil that provide evidence of the activities of an organism rather than the organism itself. These fossils can include footprints, trails, and burrows, which give insight into the behavior and movements of ancient organisms. Unlike molds and casts, which are formed by the preservation of the physical remains of an organism, trace fossils offer a different perspective by showcasing the interactions and behaviors of organisms in their environment. Permineralized remains, on the other hand, refer to fossils that have undergone a process of mineralization, which is unrelated to the activities of an organism.

3. If you found many tracks of the same species of a prehistoric animal in an area, what might you conclude about that animal?

It hunted alone.

It lived in groups.

It was the only species there.

It did not produce many offspring.

If many tracks of the same species of a prehistoric animal are found in an area, it can be concluded that the animal lived in groups. The presence of multiple tracks indicates that there were multiple individuals of the same species moving together, suggesting a social behavior of living in groups. This can also imply that the animal had a social structure, possibly for protection, hunting, or raising young.

Explanation

If many tracks of the same species of a prehistoric animal are found in an area, it can be concluded that the animal lived in groups. The presence of multiple tracks indicates that there were multiple individuals of the same species moving together, suggesting a social behavior of living in groups. This can also imply that the animal had a social structure, possibly for protection, hunting, or raising young.

4. What can fossils tell you about the surface of the Earth?

What the climate was like and what animals lived during certain time periods.

How the Earth was formed.

Fossils can't really tell you anything since they're no longer living

All of the above

Fossils can provide valuable information about the past climate and the types of animals that existed during specific time periods. By studying the composition and characteristics of fossils, scientists can make inferences about the environmental conditions and the biodiversity of ancient Earth. Fossils can reveal details about the temperature, precipitation, and vegetation patterns of different eras, as well as the evolution and distribution of various species. Therefore, the correct answer is that fossils can tell us about the climate and the animals that lived during certain time periods.

Explanation

Fossils can provide valuable information about the past climate and the types of animals that existed during specific time periods. By studying the composition and characteristics of fossils, scientists can make inferences about the environmental conditions and the biodiversity of ancient Earth. Fossils can reveal details about the temperature, precipitation, and vegetation patterns of different eras, as well as the evolution and distribution of various species. Therefore, the correct answer is that fossils can tell us about the climate and the animals that lived during certain time periods.

5. What is an ancient fossil that scientist use as an index fossil to help determine the age of the Earth?

Index Fossil

Horse Fossil

Trilobite

Pangaea

Trilobites are ancient marine arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic era, between 540 and 250 million years ago. They are considered excellent index fossils because they had a wide geographic distribution and a relatively short lifespan. Trilobite fossils can be found in various rock layers around the world, and their presence in a specific layer can help scientists determine the age of the rocks and the Earth. Therefore, trilobites are commonly used by scientists as a reliable indicator of the age of geological formations.

Explanation

Trilobites are ancient marine arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic era, between 540 and 250 million years ago. They are considered excellent index fossils because they had a wide geographic distribution and a relatively short lifespan. Trilobite fossils can be found in various rock layers around the world, and their presence in a specific layer can help scientists determine the age of the rocks and the Earth. Therefore, trilobites are commonly used by scientists as a reliable indicator of the age of geological formations.