Fossils As Evidence - 3rd Grade Science
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What do fossils show about environments of long ago?
What do fossils show about environments of long ago?
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Fossils give scientists lots of valuable information about not only the organism but the environment in which it lived. From fossils, scientists can see how an environment has changed over time. If the fossil is found on a tall hillside, but it is the remains for an aquatic animal, scientists now know the area used to be underwater. If a plant was only found in desert areas but is now found in the middle of grassland, scientists can see how that area has changed over the years.
Fossils give scientists lots of valuable information about not only the organism but the environment in which it lived. From fossils, scientists can see how an environment has changed over time. If the fossil is found on a tall hillside, but it is the remains for an aquatic animal, scientists now know the area used to be underwater. If a plant was only found in desert areas but is now found in the middle of grassland, scientists can see how that area has changed over the years.
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Gordon Hubbell and a crew of fossil hunters were digging holes in the desert of Peru in 1988. This desert is one of the driest places on Earth. It gets almost no rain. Hubbel was digging and found jawbones and more than 200 sharp teeth. He is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the teeth right away. They were shaped like triangles and came to a very sharp point. They belonged to a distant relative of the great white shark!
What did these fossils tell scientists about the environment in which they were found?
Gordon Hubbell and a crew of fossil hunters were digging holes in the desert of Peru in 1988. This desert is one of the driest places on Earth. It gets almost no rain. Hubbel was digging and found jawbones and more than 200 sharp teeth. He is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the teeth right away. They were shaped like triangles and came to a very sharp point. They belonged to a distant relative of the great white shark!
What did these fossils tell scientists about the environment in which they were found?
Tap to reveal answer
These fossils were a fascinating find for Hubbell's team and scientists in general. Finding shark teeth in what is now a desert tells researchers that this environment has changed over the years. For sharks to live there, it would have been underwater during their time period. Scientists can now study how, when, and why the area is now a desert.
These fossils were a fascinating find for Hubbell's team and scientists in general. Finding shark teeth in what is now a desert tells researchers that this environment has changed over the years. For sharks to live there, it would have been underwater during their time period. Scientists can now study how, when, and why the area is now a desert.
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Antarctica is the coldest place on our planet. Temperatures can reach -120oF, and winds can be powerful. There are no plants or animals that can make their homes permanently in central Antarctica. Scientists were exploring a place called the Dry Valleys and found fossils of moss and small animals. They were discovered in ancient lakebeds. When researchers found the age of the fossils, they were about 14.1 million years old. Scientists realized that shrubs grew around the lakes, and insects lived there too. For insects and plants to survive this area, it had to be warmer and more welcoming to life than it is today.
Which two sentences are evidence that there was a change in the environment over time?
Antarctica is the coldest place on our planet. Temperatures can reach -120oF, and winds can be powerful. There are no plants or animals that can make their homes permanently in central Antarctica. Scientists were exploring a place called the Dry Valleys and found fossils of moss and small animals. They were discovered in ancient lakebeds. When researchers found the age of the fossils, they were about 14.1 million years old. Scientists realized that shrubs grew around the lakes, and insects lived there too. For insects and plants to survive this area, it had to be warmer and more welcoming to life than it is today.
Which two sentences are evidence that there was a change in the environment over time?
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This short passage includes a lot of information and details about the fossils found in Antarctica. The passage explains that there was a change in the environment. Currently, Antarctica is freezing and not hospitable for life year-round, but there was evidence of moss and small animals that were found in fossils. This tells readers that at one point, it must have been warmer than it is today to support life. The sentences that include this evidence are, "Scientists realized that shrubs grew around the lakes, and insects lived there too. For insects and plants to survive this area, it had to be warmer and more welcoming to life than it is today.".
This short passage includes a lot of information and details about the fossils found in Antarctica. The passage explains that there was a change in the environment. Currently, Antarctica is freezing and not hospitable for life year-round, but there was evidence of moss and small animals that were found in fossils. This tells readers that at one point, it must have been warmer than it is today to support life. The sentences that include this evidence are, "Scientists realized that shrubs grew around the lakes, and insects lived there too. For insects and plants to survive this area, it had to be warmer and more welcoming to life than it is today.".
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In the Arctic, there are large sheets of ice. Scientists have found palm branches fossilized in the ice.
This tells researchers that the environment may have changed. What might this environment have been in the past?
In the Arctic, there are large sheets of ice. Scientists have found palm branches fossilized in the ice.
This tells researchers that the environment may have changed. What might this environment have been in the past?
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Scientists or researchers study fossils to learn about the environment and any changes that may have occurred over time. In this example, a palm branch was found under a sheet of ice in the Arctic, which is not typical for what we know of the environment today. When thinking about where palm branches are usually found, scientists could see that this area used to be a tropical island. To support the plant's basic needs, it was once much warmer in this location.
Scientists or researchers study fossils to learn about the environment and any changes that may have occurred over time. In this example, a palm branch was found under a sheet of ice in the Arctic, which is not typical for what we know of the environment today. When thinking about where palm branches are usually found, scientists could see that this area used to be a tropical island. To support the plant's basic needs, it was once much warmer in this location.
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Researchers were digging in the desert when they came across a fossilized cactus leaf buried in the sand.
Environments can change over time. Some places stay the same. What might this environment have been in the past?
Researchers were digging in the desert when they came across a fossilized cactus leaf buried in the sand.
Environments can change over time. Some places stay the same. What might this environment have been in the past?
Tap to reveal answer
Many environments change over time, and fossils tell researchers what those changes are. In this example, the scientists are digging in the desert and found a cactus leaf. A cactus would most likely be found in the desert, so the environment has not changed over time. If a seashell were found or an aquatic plant, researchers would know there had been a shift over the years from a wet area to very dry.
Many environments change over time, and fossils tell researchers what those changes are. In this example, the scientists are digging in the desert and found a cactus leaf. A cactus would most likely be found in the desert, so the environment has not changed over time. If a seashell were found or an aquatic plant, researchers would know there had been a shift over the years from a wet area to very dry.
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Gordon Hubbell and a crew of fossil hunters were digging holes in the desert of Peru in 1988. This desert is one of the driest places on Earth. It gets almost no rain. Hubbel was digging and found jawbones and more than 200 sharp teeth. He is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the teeth right away. They were shaped like triangles and came to a very sharp point. They belonged to a distant relative of the great white shark!
Why is Hubbell's discovery surprising?
Gordon Hubbell and a crew of fossil hunters were digging holes in the desert of Peru in 1988. This desert is one of the driest places on Earth. It gets almost no rain. Hubbel was digging and found jawbones and more than 200 sharp teeth. He is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the teeth right away. They were shaped like triangles and came to a very sharp point. They belonged to a distant relative of the great white shark!
Why is Hubbell's discovery surprising?
Tap to reveal answer
These fossils were a surprising find for Hubbell's team and scientists in general. Finding shark teeth in what is now a desert tells researchers that this environment has changed over the years. For sharks to live there, it would have been underwater during their period. Scientists can now study how, when, and why the area is now a desert. What is currently a dry, hot desert was once an ocean, sea, or large body of water. This is a surprising find and development.
These fossils were a surprising find for Hubbell's team and scientists in general. Finding shark teeth in what is now a desert tells researchers that this environment has changed over the years. For sharks to live there, it would have been underwater during their period. Scientists can now study how, when, and why the area is now a desert. What is currently a dry, hot desert was once an ocean, sea, or large body of water. This is a surprising find and development.
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Antarctica is the coldest place on our planet. Temperatures can reach -120oF, and winds can be powerful. There are no plants or animals that can make their homes permanently in central Antarctica. Scientists were exploring a place called the Dry Valleys and found fossils of moss and small animals. They were discovered in ancient lakebeds. When researchers found the age of the fossils, they were about 14.1 million years old. Scientists realized that shrubs grew around the lakes, and insects lived there too. For insects and plants to survive this area, it had to be warmer and more welcoming to life than it is today.
What did scientists discover that led them to believe Antarctica was once a very different place?
Antarctica is the coldest place on our planet. Temperatures can reach -120oF, and winds can be powerful. There are no plants or animals that can make their homes permanently in central Antarctica. Scientists were exploring a place called the Dry Valleys and found fossils of moss and small animals. They were discovered in ancient lakebeds. When researchers found the age of the fossils, they were about 14.1 million years old. Scientists realized that shrubs grew around the lakes, and insects lived there too. For insects and plants to survive this area, it had to be warmer and more welcoming to life than it is today.
What did scientists discover that led them to believe Antarctica was once a very different place?
Tap to reveal answer
This short passage includes a lot of information and details about the fossils and lakebeds found in Antarctica. The passage explains that there was a change in the environment. Currently, Antarctica is freezing and not hospitable for life year-round, but there was evidence of moss and small animals that were found in fossils in ancient lakebeds. This tells readers that at one point, it must have been warmer than it is today to support life.
This short passage includes a lot of information and details about the fossils and lakebeds found in Antarctica. The passage explains that there was a change in the environment. Currently, Antarctica is freezing and not hospitable for life year-round, but there was evidence of moss and small animals that were found in fossils in ancient lakebeds. This tells readers that at one point, it must have been warmer than it is today to support life.
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High up in the Himalaya Mountains, fossils of fish and other aquatic sea animals have been found. These mountains are hundreds of miles away from the closest sea. They are snow-capped at the tip, and the land is dry and brown. The layered rocks of the Himalayas are rich with not only fossils of aquatic creatures but also fossils of coral reef remnants and marine plants.
What does this information tell researchers or scientists?
High up in the Himalaya Mountains, fossils of fish and other aquatic sea animals have been found. These mountains are hundreds of miles away from the closest sea. They are snow-capped at the tip, and the land is dry and brown. The layered rocks of the Himalayas are rich with not only fossils of aquatic creatures but also fossils of coral reef remnants and marine plants.
What does this information tell researchers or scientists?
Tap to reveal answer
Scientists or researchers study fossils to learn about the environment and any changes that may have occurred over time. In this example, aquatic plants, animals, and coral reef fossils were found in the rock layers of the Himalaya Mountains, which is not typical for what we know of the environment today. When thinking about where these types of fossils are usually found, scientists could see that this area used to be underwater.
Scientists or researchers study fossils to learn about the environment and any changes that may have occurred over time. In this example, aquatic plants, animals, and coral reef fossils were found in the rock layers of the Himalaya Mountains, which is not typical for what we know of the environment today. When thinking about where these types of fossils are usually found, scientists could see that this area used to be underwater.
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High up in the Himalaya Mountains, fossils of fish and other aquatic sea animals have been found. These mountains are hundreds of miles away from the closest sea. They are snow-capped at the tip, and the land is dry and brown. The layered rocks of the Himalayas are rich with not only fossils of aquatic creatures but also fossils of coral reef remnants and marine plants.
Where would these types of fossils typically be found?
High up in the Himalaya Mountains, fossils of fish and other aquatic sea animals have been found. These mountains are hundreds of miles away from the closest sea. They are snow-capped at the tip, and the land is dry and brown. The layered rocks of the Himalayas are rich with not only fossils of aquatic creatures but also fossils of coral reef remnants and marine plants.
Where would these types of fossils typically be found?
Tap to reveal answer
Scientists or researchers study fossils to learn about the environment and any changes that may have occurred over time. Typically fossils of coral reefs, marine plants, and aquatic creatures would be found in an ocean. These fossils were found in the rock layers of the Himalaya Mountains, which shows there was a change in the environment over time.
Scientists or researchers study fossils to learn about the environment and any changes that may have occurred over time. Typically fossils of coral reefs, marine plants, and aquatic creatures would be found in an ocean. These fossils were found in the rock layers of the Himalaya Mountains, which shows there was a change in the environment over time.
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Researchers were digging in the desert when they came across a fossilized cactus leaf buried in the sand. This discovery proves that this environment has changed immensely over time.
Researchers were digging in the desert when they came across a fossilized cactus leaf buried in the sand. This discovery proves that this environment has changed immensely over time.
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The statement in the question is false. If a cactus leaf was found, it means the environment was a desert at the time of the plant's death. The area is still a desert, which shows this area has not changed during the two time periods. There are other examples of areas that have changed drastically through the years, but this is not one of them.
The statement in the question is false. If a cactus leaf was found, it means the environment was a desert at the time of the plant's death. The area is still a desert, which shows this area has not changed during the two time periods. There are other examples of areas that have changed drastically through the years, but this is not one of them.
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What is a fossil?
What is a fossil?
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A fossil is a preserved or protected piece of a plant or animal that is no longer living. Fossils can be used to learn about organisms that lived during a time humans were not around to study them. Fossils also allow scientists to learn about different environments and any changes that have occurred over millions of years.
A fossil is a preserved or protected piece of a plant or animal that is no longer living. Fossils can be used to learn about organisms that lived during a time humans were not around to study them. Fossils also allow scientists to learn about different environments and any changes that have occurred over millions of years.
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Fossils can provide evidence about organisms. Which statement is something fossils CANNOT tell us about a plant or animal?
Fossils can provide evidence about organisms. Which statement is something fossils CANNOT tell us about a plant or animal?
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Fossils seem simple, but they contain a vast amount of information for researchers and scientists to study. Fossils can give us a general idea of what an organism looked like, how it has changed or evolved, where and when it lived on Earth, and even what it might have eaten. Fossils cannot tell us what an organism liked or disliked. These are personal preferences that an organism would have, and that cannot be determined from a fossil.
Fossils seem simple, but they contain a vast amount of information for researchers and scientists to study. Fossils can give us a general idea of what an organism looked like, how it has changed or evolved, where and when it lived on Earth, and even what it might have eaten. Fossils cannot tell us what an organism liked or disliked. These are personal preferences that an organism would have, and that cannot be determined from a fossil.
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Almost all previous plants and animals became fossils.
Almost all previous plants and animals became fossils.
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This statement is surprisingly false! An organism rarely became or becomes a fossil. Many prehistoric animals were eaten, decomposed before preservation, or the elements broke the bones or materials down beyond recognition. Conditions within the environment and the location of the dead organism had to be or have to be ideal for a fossil to be formed. Finding the fossils presents a whole other set of challenges!
This statement is surprisingly false! An organism rarely became or becomes a fossil. Many prehistoric animals were eaten, decomposed before preservation, or the elements broke the bones or materials down beyond recognition. Conditions within the environment and the location of the dead organism had to be or have to be ideal for a fossil to be formed. Finding the fossils presents a whole other set of challenges!
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Gordon Hubbell and a crew of fossil hunters were digging holes in the desert of Peru in 1988. This desert is one of the driest places on Earth. It gets almost no rain. Hubbel was digging and found jawbones and more than 200 sharp teeth. He is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the teeth right away. They were shaped like triangles and came to a very sharp point. They belonged to a distant relative of the great white shark!
How could Hubbell "prove" that these teeth were from a relative of the great white shark?
Gordon Hubbell and a crew of fossil hunters were digging holes in the desert of Peru in 1988. This desert is one of the driest places on Earth. It gets almost no rain. Hubbel was digging and found jawbones and more than 200 sharp teeth. He is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the teeth right away. They were shaped like triangles and came to a very sharp point. They belonged to a distant relative of the great white shark!
How could Hubbell "prove" that these teeth were from a relative of the great white shark?
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Hubbell is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the similarities between his find and great white shark teeth, but others may need "proof" before they would believe him. If Hubbell placed a great white shark's tooth next to his fossil, the similarities and differences could be noted. By comparing the teeth, it would allow scientists to determine what creature it belonged to with certainty.
Hubbell is an expert in fossilized sharks, so he recognized the similarities between his find and great white shark teeth, but others may need "proof" before they would believe him. If Hubbell placed a great white shark's tooth next to his fossil, the similarities and differences could be noted. By comparing the teeth, it would allow scientists to determine what creature it belonged to with certainty.
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Scientists found a fossil of a tooth in the dirt. They want to predict what this organism ate based on the shape of the tooth.
Which answer choice is most reasonable?
Scientists found a fossil of a tooth in the dirt. They want to predict what this organism ate based on the shape of the tooth.
Which answer choice is most reasonable?
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Fossils tell scientists many things about animals and plants that lived long ago. If a researcher were studying this tooth, they could see it is large, would come to a sharp point, and these types of teeth most often belong to a carnivore or something that eats meat. If this tooth were compared to those of other creatures that eat meat, there would be many similarities. If it were compared to a tooth of an herbivore or something that eats plants, there would be many differences. Scientists make inferences based on comparisons to other findings.
Fossils tell scientists many things about animals and plants that lived long ago. If a researcher were studying this tooth, they could see it is large, would come to a sharp point, and these types of teeth most often belong to a carnivore or something that eats meat. If this tooth were compared to those of other creatures that eat meat, there would be many similarities. If it were compared to a tooth of an herbivore or something that eats plants, there would be many differences. Scientists make inferences based on comparisons to other findings.
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How does a fossil tell us about an organism that lived in the past?
How does a fossil tell us about an organism that lived in the past?
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Fossils are a rich source of information to learn about organisms of the past. A fossil can tell us the size of an organism or at least its bones. We can also study where the organisms lived based on where the fossil is found. Scientists can explore what the conditions of that area were, so we know if the organism was an aquatic plant, a land-dwelling creature, or something that needed warm weather.
Fossils are a rich source of information to learn about organisms of the past. A fossil can tell us the size of an organism or at least its bones. We can also study where the organisms lived based on where the fossil is found. Scientists can explore what the conditions of that area were, so we know if the organism was an aquatic plant, a land-dwelling creature, or something that needed warm weather.
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What is an organism? Example: Fossils can be used to learn about organisms that lived during a time humans were not around to study them.
What is an organism? Example: Fossils can be used to learn about organisms that lived during a time humans were not around to study them.
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Organisms are a term for a plant, animal, or single-cell life form. "Organism" encompasses all living things, including humans. In the example above, humans are using the fossils of these previously living things to study and learn more about them.
Organisms are a term for a plant, animal, or single-cell life form. "Organism" encompasses all living things, including humans. In the example above, humans are using the fossils of these previously living things to study and learn more about them.
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Fossils can provide evidence about organisms. Which statement is something fossils can tell us about a plant or animal?
Fossils can provide evidence about organisms. Which statement is something fossils can tell us about a plant or animal?
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Fossils seem simple, but they contain a vast amount of information for researchers and scientists to study. Fossils can give us a general idea of an organism's size, how it has changed or evolved, and where it lived on Earth. Scientists and researchers can learn immense amounts of information from fossils.
Fossils seem simple, but they contain a vast amount of information for researchers and scientists to study. Fossils can give us a general idea of an organism's size, how it has changed or evolved, and where it lived on Earth. Scientists and researchers can learn immense amounts of information from fossils.
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Scientists on an expedition recently found the fossil below. What assumption can the scientists make about this dinosaur?
Scientists on an expedition recently found the fossil below. What assumption can the scientists make about this dinosaur?
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Fossils tell scientists many things about animals and plants that lived long ago. If a researcher were studying this dinosaur, they could make assumptions about its life based on its physical characteristics. This dinosaur has large horns, so it likely used them in defense situations. With only fossils, it is not possible to tell what it was scared of or what its color was. Scientists can measure the bones and compare them to other findings to determine if the dinosaur would be considered small or large. In this case, the dinosaur appears to be large.
Fossils tell scientists many things about animals and plants that lived long ago. If a researcher were studying this dinosaur, they could make assumptions about its life based on its physical characteristics. This dinosaur has large horns, so it likely used them in defense situations. With only fossils, it is not possible to tell what it was scared of or what its color was. Scientists can measure the bones and compare them to other findings to determine if the dinosaur would be considered small or large. In this case, the dinosaur appears to be large.
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A group of researchers found the fossils below on a dig. What assumptions can they make about these organisms?
A group of researchers found the fossils below on a dig. What assumptions can they make about these organisms?
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Researchers studying this fossil can learn quite a few things from something that appears so simple. Scientists could determine that these are a species of fish based on their shape and bone structure, they could swim as evidence of the tail and structure, and with so many together in one place, it is possible they lived in groups or schools. Scientists can also test the age of the rock, learn about the location they lived, and determine which family of aquatic creatures they are similar to.
Researchers studying this fossil can learn quite a few things from something that appears so simple. Scientists could determine that these are a species of fish based on their shape and bone structure, they could swim as evidence of the tail and structure, and with so many together in one place, it is possible they lived in groups or schools. Scientists can also test the age of the rock, learn about the location they lived, and determine which family of aquatic creatures they are similar to.
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