Asked by Saphie Sapphire on Jun 24, 2024
Verified
What factors are the most critical in determining whether a fossil is preserved?
A) the age of the fossil and the age of sediments in which it is preserved
B) the temperature of the granite and how fast it cooled
C) whether the creature had hard parts and how fast it was buried
D) the color of the original organism compared to the color of the sediments in which it is found
E) whether the creature was a predator or was prey
Preserved Fossil
A remnant or impression of an organism from a past geologic age that has been preserved in rock.
Hard Parts
Refers to the durable skeletal elements of organisms, such as bones and shells, which are commonly preserved in the fossil record.
- Appreciate the role of fossils in reconstructing the conditions of historical ecosystems.
Verified Answer
TZ
Teresa ZeccaJun 30, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
The preservation of a fossil is significantly influenced by whether the organism had hard parts, such as bones or shells, which are more likely to fossilize than soft tissues, and the rapidity of burial, which helps protect the remains from scavengers, decay, and weathering.
Learning Objectives
- Appreciate the role of fossils in reconstructing the conditions of historical ecosystems.
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