fossil record
Fossils document organisms that lived long ago. This topic is part of Paleontology within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 7 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
fossil record trivia questions
The fossil record preserves evidence of what?
Answer: Past life
Bonus fact: Fossils document organisms that lived long ago.
Which type of rock contains most fossils?
Answer: Sedimentary rock
Bonus fact: Sediments can bury and preserve remains.
Gaps in the fossil record exist partly because fossilization is what?
Answer: Rare
Bonus fact: Most organisms decay without becoming fossils.
About when did trilobites first appear in the fossil record?
Answer: About 521 million years ago
Bonus fact: Trilobites persisted for roughly 270 million years.
Which parts of organisms are most commonly preserved as body fossils?
Answer: Hard parts such as bones, teeth, and shells
Bonus fact: Whole organisms are much rarer in the fossil record than durable body parts.
What is taphonomy the study of?
Answer: What happens from an organism’s death until fossilization
Bonus fact: Rapid burial and hard body parts increase the odds that remains will enter the fossil record.
Punctuated equilibrium was developed partly from patterns observed in what?
Answer: Fossil record
Bonus fact: Abrupt appearances and long stasis inspired the model.