What   are paleontologists? 

you will visit several web sites to learn more about ancient life and fossils. Each question is worth 1 pt each.

A. Getting into the Fossil Record
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/fossil/9to12/intro.html

 

1. View   the animation about getting into the fossil record, and write several explanations   summarizing how a dinosaur can become a fossil.

 

2. The   word “fossil” means what (from Latin)?

 

3. What   are paleontologists?

 

4. Fossils   can be body parts of ancient organisms, or they can be traces. Give five   examples of traces.

 

  1. Which type of organism do you        think is most likely to be preserved? One that gets buried quickly or        one that gets buried slowly? Why?

 

  1. What are three biotic factors        that can affect an organism after death?

 

  1. What is an abiotic factor that        can prevent the organism from becoming preserved, AFTER it has been        buried?

 

  1. What type of animal might become        preserved in amber?

 

  1. Where is a tar pit found?

 

  1. What type of animal might become        preserved in a tar pit?

 

  1. Which is more likely to        fossilize? Hard parts or soft parts?

 

  1. Which type of rock is most        likely to contain fossils? Igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic?

 

  1. Why is a mammoth more likely to        fossilize than a caterpillar?