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How does a fossil help identify things that lived in the past?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
A fossil is the mineral formation left as slowly decaying matter, such as bones or shells, is replaced with mineral deposits, or impressions left behind when a soft substance such as mud dries into a solid rock-like state while still holding the imprint.
These help identify things that lived in the past by giving us a record of what the skeletal structure of animals looked like, or other features, such as the shells or footprints. From this data, we can extrapolate a lot about the creatures. The teeth show if they were carnivores or herbivores. The skeleton shows the general shape of the creatures. The size of the brain can be determined by looking at the cranial cavity (the space within the skull that holds the brain)
There are many other things that can be determined by studying fossils, but there is not enough room to include everything here.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What are three things scientists can tell from a fossil?
1. Fossils can help date rock horizons and can help identify similar environments when the same fossil is found in different locations; 2. Fossils helped identify how the different land masses moved/plate tectonics worked because similar fossils on different continents sometimes showed how the different land masses were once connected (e.g. Africa and South America); 3. Fossils can show how different species evolved over time.
What is a fossil and why are they important?
A fossil is the remains or traces of an animal, plant or any organism which lived in the distant past. They give us information on how different life-forms existed then, what the climate was like, how the atmosphere differed from the present time and where they lived in relation to other parts of the world.
How do fossils help scientists learn what happin in the past?
Scientists can learn from a fossil of animal by its age, diet, and physical characteristics, depending on the condition of the fossil. For example, scientists would not be able to tell of a hominid was a new species or not if a few bones were missing, because of the fact that they could determine different or similar traits than other species of hominid.
What type of clues can fossils provide about earths history?
Fossils help us learn about the past, like if a fish fossil was in your backyard, then your backyard was covered with water. They also help us with the fossils where the setting was then, and what animals lived there.
How do fossil records provide evidence for environmental change?
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I found a fossil and don't know what it is?
It is best to consult a geologist or archaeologist to help you identify unknown fossils.
What can help identify an unknown living things?
A dichotomous key.
What characteristics that help to identify individual living things?
trait A-plus
What are characteristics that help to identify individual living things?
trait A-plus
What are three things scientists can tell from a fossil?
1. Fossils can help date rock horizons and can help identify similar environments when the same fossil is found in different locations; 2. Fossils helped identify how the different land masses moved/plate tectonics worked because similar fossils on different continents sometimes showed how the different land masses were once connected (e.g. Africa and South America); 3. Fossils can show how different species evolved over time.
How might a mold or cast of a fossil help scientist to interpret the type of EnviroNment it lived in?
It might be able to show what kind of organism lived in the past, how the organisms and the environment have changed over time.
How do you use a root fossil?
A fossil of a root can be used for a number things. They can help determine rainfall during a time period. They can also be used to determine environmental events.
How can knowing density of the object help you identify what the object is made of?
Well, I think it helps you identify if the objects in the object are dense or not. Just sometimes things make things denser or thinner. I hope this helps and it's not TOO confusing!
How can knowing the density of the object help you identify what the object is made of?
Well, I think it helps you identify if the objects in the object are dense or not. Just sometimes things make things denser or thinner. I hope this helps and it's not TOO confusing!
What is a fossil and why are they important?
A fossil is the remains or traces of an animal, plant or any organism which lived in the distant past. They give us information on how different life-forms existed then, what the climate was like, how the atmosphere differed from the present time and where they lived in relation to other parts of the world.
How do fossils help scientists learn what happin in the past?
Scientists can learn from a fossil of animal by its age, diet, and physical characteristics, depending on the condition of the fossil. For example, scientists would not be able to tell of a hominid was a new species or not if a few bones were missing, because of the fact that they could determine different or similar traits than other species of hominid.
What type of clues can fossils provide about earths history?
Fossils help us learn about the past, like if a fish fossil was in your backyard, then your backyard was covered with water. They also help us with the fossils where the setting was then, and what animals lived there.
