Evolution
About this set
Created by:
AdelaB on February 10, 2011
Subjects:
fossils, petrification, radioactive dating
Log in to favorite or report as inappropriate.
Order by
16 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 fossil | The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past. |
| petrification | The process of turning some plant material into stone by infiltration with water carrying mineral particles without changing the original shape. |
| mold | A type of fossil formed when a shell or other hard part of an organism dissolves, leaving an empty space in the shape of the part. |
| cast | A type of fossil that forms when sediments fill in the cavity left by a decomposed organism. |
| amber | Yellowish brown fossil resin that often has particles trapped inside. |
| imprint | A type of fossil formed when an impression made in mud by a living thing is preserved when the mud is transformed into rock. |
| tar pit | Tar pits are formed when a dark sticky form of oil seeps up from underground, causing animals to get stuck and their bones to be preserved as the material around them hardens. |
| tetrapod | A vertebrate with two pairs of limbs. |
| paleontologist | A scientist who studies fossils. |
| trace fossil | A type of fossil that provides evidence of the activities of ancient organisms. Some examples of trace fossils are footprints, tracks, trails, and burrows. |
| evolve | To develop gradually by process of growth and change. |
| bipedal | An animal that walks on two legs. |
| geologic time scale | Earth's history organized into four eras: Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. |
| radiometric dating | Dating based on the decay of radioactive isotopes. This method is used for determining the age of fossils and rocks by the ratio of a radioactive isotope to the nonradioactive isotope(s) of the same element in the sample. |
| homologous structures | Structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry. |
| pentadactyl | An organism that has five fingers or toes to each hand or foot. |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.