Paleontology Flashcards Preview

AS Biology (Dr Edge) > Paleontology > Flashcards

Flashcards in Paleontology Deck (5)
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1
Q

How are fossils formed?

A

animal and plant remains are preserved in rocks

over long periods of time, sediment is deposited on the earth to form strata of rock

different layers correspond to different geological eras

2
Q

How does the age of samples found provide evidence for evolution?

A

simpler organisms such as bacteria and simple algae are found in the oldest rocks

while more complex organisms are found in more recent rocks

this supports the theroy that simple life forms gradually more complex over time

3
Q

How does the sequence of animals and plants being found support evolution?

A

supports ecological links

plant fossils appear before animal fossils, which is consistent with the fact that animals require plants to survive

4
Q

How does the structure of fossils support evolution?

A

shows how closely related animals come from a related ancestor with similar anatomies

spans millions of years

shows links between extinct and extant organisms

5
Q

Why is the fossil record not complete?

A

many soft bodied organisms decompose quickly before they have a chance to fossilise

conditions are not present

destroyed by volcanoes and movements

others lie undiscovered