10

Module

SCIENCE
EVIDENCE FROM FOSSIL
RECORD

JENALYN N. NACASABUG
Teacher III
 Module in Grade 10 Science
Evidence from Fossil Record

OVERVIEW

Evolution is a key unifying principle in biology. As Theodosius Dobzhansky

once said, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” But what,
exactly, are the features of biology that make more sense through the lens of
evolution? To put it another way, what are the indications or traces that show evolution
has taken place in the past and is still happening today?

This module will help you understand how evolution is being studied from the
fossil record. You will learn the different types of fossils. This will enhance your
knowledge on how organisms that lived in the past were very different than organisms
alive today.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE?

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. These are preserved remains of ancient life, such as bones, teeth, wood, and
shells.
a. Fossils c. Artifacts
b. Sediments d. Biomass

1
2. Where can most of the fossils be found?
a. Igneous rock c. Black soil
b. Sedimentary rock d. Lava flows

3. In what era can the oldest fossils be found?

a. Paleozoic c. Mesozoic
b. Pre-cambrian d. Cenozoic

4. What do you call a person who studies fossils?

a. Scientist
b. Meteorologist
c. Geologist
d. Paleontologist

5. A type of fossil most common for leaves and ferns.

a. Impression
b. Compression
c. Mold
d. Cast

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN FROM THIS MODULE?

After reading this module, you should be able to

 Understand how evolution is being studied from the fossil record.

 Identify the different types of fossils.

2
 LET’S LEARN!

FOSSIL RECORD

Fossils are the preserved remains of previously living organisms or their traces,
dating from the distant past. The fossil record is not, alas, complete or unbroken: most
organisms never fossilize, and even the organisms that do fossilize are rarely found by
humans. Nonetheless, the fossils that humans have collected offer unique insights into
evolution over long timescales.

Fossils like the ancient fish provide evidence of how life changes over time. Fossils
can also help scientists infer how earth’s surface has changed. Fossils are clues to what
environments were like.

Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by sediments. The
sediments slowly harden into rock and preserve the shapes of organisms. Fossils are
usually found in sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock is the type of rock that is made of
hardened sediment. Sediment is made up of rock particles or the remains of living things.

There are numerous types of fossil evidence that have been left behind by
organisms. Some of the types of fossil evidence commonly used by scientists include
trace fossils, molds and casts, replacement fossils, petrified fossils, amber and original
material fossils.

A trace fossil is any indirect evidence left by an organisms. Examples of trace

fossils include footprints, burrows and fossilized faeces that have been left behind by
organisms. They simply leave material evidence that the organisms existed rather than
evidence of the actual structure of the organism.

Molds and casts are also important fossil evidence. Molds are impressions of entire
organisms that have been left behind. Casts are molds that have been filled with sediment
over time. Compression is most common fossil for leaves and ferns but can occur to
other organisms.

3
 Scientists who study fossils are called paleontologist. Paleontologists collect
fossils from sedimentary rocks all over the world. They use this information to determine
what past life forms were like.
Paleontologist also classify organisms. Their group similar organisms together.
They arrange organisms in the order in which they lived, from earliest to latest. Together,
all the information that paleontologist have gathered about the past is called fossil
record. The fossil record provides evidence about the history of life and the past
environments on Earth. The fossil record also shows that different groups of organisms
have changed over time or evolved. Hence, is considered as one evidence of evolution.

Examples of Fossils

Petrified wood Trilobite Sloth skull

Crinoids Fern Mollusk

Source: www.google.com.ph

4
 LET’S TRY TO DO THIS!

SCHOOL FOSSILS

A Fossil is something old that has been preserved. With your teachers’
permission, look around the school for the oldest object you can find. Interview faculty
members to determine how old the object is, why it has been preserved, and how it
may have changed since it was new. Make a drawing of the object and bring it to class.
Tell your class the story of this “fossil.”

LET’S SUM UP!

The remains or traces of organisms, such as animals, plants, and insects from the
past, which are preserved through natural processes are called fossils. Fossils document
the existence of now-extinct past species that are related to present-day species.

Most fossils form when organisms that die become buried in sediments. Usually,
they are found in sedimentary rocks.

Some of the types of fossil evidence commonly used by scientists include trace
fossils, molds and casts, replacement fossils, petrified fossils, amber and original material
fossils. Compression is most common fossil for leaves and ferns but can occur to other
organisms.

All the information that paleontologist have gathered about the past is called fossil
record. It is one evidence that evolution has taking place on earth. The fossil record
provides evidence about the history of life and the past environments on Earth. The fossil
record also shows that different groups of organisms have changed over time or evolved.

5
 LET’S CHECK HOW MUCH YOU HAVE LEARNED!

A. Multiple Choice. Write the letter of the best answer.

1. The remains or traces of organisms, such as animals, plants, insects from the past,
which are preserved through natural processes.

a. Artifacts c. Bones
b. Fossils d. Remnants

2. Which of the following is NOT a type of fossil?

a. Molds c. Artifacts
b. Trace Fossils d. Remnants

3. All of the following are examples of trace fossils except one.

a. Trilobite c. Burrows
b. Footprints d. Fossilized Feces

.
4. Petrified wood is an example of

a. Trace Fossils c. Replacement Fossils

b. Casts and Molds d. Petrified Fossils

5. In what era can the oldest fossils be found?

a. Paleozoic c. Mesozoic
b. Pre-cambrian d. Cenozoic

6
 REFERENCES

Department of Education, Science 10 Learner’s Guide, Rex Bookstore, Inc. 2015

Department of Education, Science 10 Teacher’s Guide, Rex Bookstore, Inc. 2015

Printice Hall Science Explorer Indiana Grade 8, Pearson Prentice Hall, Boston,
Massachusetts, 2005

https://study.com/academy/lesson/fossil-evidence-definition-lesson-quiz.html

https://www.grandcanyon.org/shop/online-store/geology/

www.google.com.ph

 ANSWER KEY

A. Let’s check your prior knowledge

1. a 2. b 3. b 4. d 5. b

B. Let’s check how much you have learned

1. b 2. d 3. a 4. d 5. b

7
 METADATA

Title - Evidence from Fossil Record

Language - English

Keywords - S10LT-IIIf-39

Description - The module will help the students to understand how

evolution is being studied from the fossil record.

Primary Media -Print Material

Primary storage -Flash drive, CD

Resource Location -Department of Education

Region VI- western Visayas
Division of Aklan
District of Madalag
Madalag National High School

Developer -JENALYN N. NACASABUG

Teacher III

8
9