Fossil

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Fossil (Fos·sil)

Fossil (/ˈfɒs.əl/) is a term used in the field of Paleontology to describe the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms from the remote past.

Etymology

The word "fossil" is derived from the Latin word "fossilis" which means "dug up". This term was originally used to describe any ancient item that was dug up from the ground, including artifacts and minerals. However, in the 18th century, the term began to be used more specifically to describe the remains or traces of ancient life forms.

Definition

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a living organism, usually more than 10,000 years old. The process of fossilization involves the replacement of organic material with minerals, preserving the shape and sometimes the details of the organism. Fossils can include bones, teeth, shells, leaf imprints, and tracks.

Types of Fossils

There are several types of fossils, including:

  • Body Fossils: These are the remains of the actual organism, such as bones, teeth, and shells.
  • Trace Fossils: These are the signs of an organism's activity, such as footprints, burrows, and coprolites (fossilized feces).
  • Microfossils: These are tiny fossils, usually of single-celled organisms, that can only be seen under a microscope.
  • Molecular Fossils: These are organic molecules that can provide information about the organisms that produced them.

Related Terms

  • Paleontology: The scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.
  • Stratigraphy: The study of rock layers and layering, which is used to establish the age of fossils.
  • Radiometric Dating: A method used to date rocks and other objects based on the known decay rate of radioactive isotopes, often used in determining a fossil's age.
  • Index Fossil: A fossil that is useful for dating and correlating the age of rocks in which it is found.

External links

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