Fossils are the mineralised remains of once-living organisms, or of traces left behind by organisms.

An organism is something that is living, or was once living but is now dead.

Naturally occurring chemical compounds of elements such as carbon, calcium, silicon and iron.

An extinct species has no living members.

All the fossils ever found, and their ages, provide a body of evidence called the fossil record.

Fossils show that species change over time

Science

Understanding time scales

Adaptations

Competition

Heritable variation

Natural selection

A model of natural selection

Evolution

Pupils will learn that the fossil record provides evidence of evolution from common ancestors through transitional species to modern species, and that the theory of evolution by natural selection can be used to explain phenotypic changes in populations of species over generations.

Pupils learned that variation (differences in the features of individuals of the same species) can be caused by environmental and genetic factors.

This unit explores variation within and between species, competition, and natural selection. It focuses on asking questions, making predictions, planning scientific enquiries, and testing hypotheses. It also covers analysing results, explaining findings, and identifying new questions that arise.

Adaptations, competition, natural selection and evolution

What are the mineralised remains of once-living organisms, or the traces left behind by organisms called?

What word is used to describe a species that has no living members?


The organism's remains were buried in sediment.

The material around the organism was compacted to form rock.

The organism's remains were dissolved by water seeping through the rock.

The organism's remains were replaced by minerals.

Put the steps in order to show how a mineral replacement fossil is formed.

True or false? Only animals can become fossils.

What sort of habitat the organism lived in.

What can fossil evidence **not**  tell us about an organism?


Fossils can be destroyed before they are found, e.g. earthquakes.

Conditions for creating fossils are very rare.

Many life forms were soft bodied and trace fossils are less likely to be formed.

Most fossils have been removed by humans for studying and displaying in museums.

The fossils are in the sea and we can't find them.

Features which make an organism suited to their environment are called ...

What type of tissue are the skeletons of animals made from?

The number of living members of a species has rapidly increased.

The number of living members of a species is small.

There are no living members of a species.

Fossils show that species change over time

Lesson outcome