(WEEK 4)

It is the preserved
remains, or traces of
remains, of ancient
organisms. It came from
the Latin word "fossus",
meaning "having been
dug up."
MACROFOSSIL
Are those fossils that can be easily seen with the
unaided eye.
MICROFOSSIL
Fossils that can be only seen in a microscope.
 It is the process of an animal or plant
becoming preserved in a hard, petrified form
which often results in the impression of an
organism being left in a rock.
In general, for an organism to be preserved,
two (2) conditions must be met:
1. Rapid Burial
To retard decomposition & to prevent the
ravaging of scavengers
2. Possession of Hard Parts
Capable of being fossilized.
 It is the fossilized remains
of an animal or plant, like
bones, shells, and leaves.
The marks left by an animal or
plant that has made an
impression.
• Preserved Remains
• Permineralization
• Molds and Casts
• Replacement
• Compression
PRESERVED
REMAINS
It is the preservation of
original skeletal material
and even soft tissue.
 PERMINERALIZATION

It involves deposits of
minerals within the cells
of organisms
MOLDS AND
CAST
It is the process when the
original bone or shell
dissolves and leaves
behind an empty space in
the shape of the material,
 REPLACEMENT

Happen when the original

shell or bone dissolves
and is replaced by a
different mineral
 COMPRESSION

Fossils form when their

remains are compressed
by high pressure, leaving
behind a dark imprint.
• It is the study of the history of life on Earth as based on
fossils.
• PALEONTOLOGIST
Scientists that deals with the study of fossils