Bullis Science- Fossils and Paleontology – Flashcards
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Catastrophism
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Principle that states that geologic change is caused by very sudden and rare events.
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Uniformitarianism
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Principle that states that geologic change is slow and constant. Processes that occured in the past are still happening today.
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K-T Mass Extinction
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An example of catastrophism that resulted from an asteroid hitting the earth 65 mya.
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Paleontology
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The study of Earth's past through fossils.
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Principle of Superposition
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The geologic principle that states that in layers of sedimentary rock, each layer is older than the layers above it and younger than the layer below it.
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Relative Age
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The age of a rock compared to the ages of rock layers
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Absolute Age
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The age of a rock given as the number of years since the rock formed
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Half-Life
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The time it takes for half of the atoms of a radioactive element to decay.
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Rock A is older than Rock B but younger than Rock C. Is this an example of absolute age or relative age?
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Relative Age
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You find a rock that is 4380 years old. Is this an example of absolute age or relative age?
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Absolute Age
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Fossil
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The preserved remains or traces of once living things
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Trace Fossil
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A type of fossil that provides evidence of the activities of ancient organisms
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Mold
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An impression left by the organism.
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Cast
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A fossil that is a solid copy of an organism's shape, formed when minerals seep into a mold.
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Petrified Fossil
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A fossil in which minerals replace all or part of an organism.
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Amber
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Fossil that forms when tree sap traps small organisms and then hardens. Preserves entire organism.
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Ice
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Fossil that forms when organism is frozen. Can preserve soft tissue (hair, skin, etc).
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Asphalt
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Fossil that forms when organism falls into tar pits and the tar turns to asphalt. Good example=La Brea Tar Pits in L.A.
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Index Fossil
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Fossils of widely distributed organisms that lived during only one short period.
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Importance of studying fossils
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1. To see how LIFE on earth has changed. 2. To see how the ENVIRONMENT has changed.
