Fossils show that species change over time
I can explain what fossils are and how they provide evidence that species change over time.
Fossils show that species change over time
I can explain what fossils are and how they provide evidence that species change over time.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Fossils provide evidence about organisms from long ago and their habitats.
- All fossils are the mineralised remains of once-living organisms or of traces left behind by organisms.
- Fossils show that some species have gone extinct.
- Fossils show that the features of some species have changed over time.
- There are limitations to the conclusions and explanations that can be made from fossil evidence.
Keywords
Fossil - Fossils are the mineralised remains of once-living organisms, or of traces left behind by organisms.
Organism - An organism is something that is living, or was once living but is now dead.
Minerals - Naturally occurring chemical compounds of elements such as carbon, calcium, silicon and iron.
Extinct - An extinct species has no living members.
Fossil record - All the fossils ever found, and their ages, provide a body of evidence called the fossil record.
Common misconception
Most students will be aware that bones can become fossilised but not realise that other remains such as wood or footprints can also become fossils too.
This lesson contains a broad range of examples of the types of remains that can become fossilised.
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