Chapter 24, Problem 10STP

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The type of fossil that tells paleontologist most about the soft tissues of an animal.

Introduction:

A fossil is any preserved evidence of an organism, plants, animals and even bacteria can form fossils. Most organisms decompose before they get fossilized. Only those organisms that are buried rapidly in sediment are readily preserved. This occurs more frequently with organisms living in water because the sediment in aquatic environments is constantly settling, covering and preserving the remains of organisms. There are six categories of fossils, namely trace fossil, molds and casts, replacement, petrified, amber and original materials.

Explanation of Solution

By observing different categories of fossils, paleontologist tells about the fossilized organisms. It is the amber type of fossil in which an entire organism is trapped and preserved in the tree sap the sap hardens into amber. In this way organism is trapped and fossilized.

Conclusion

A type of fossil that would tell the paleontologist the most about the soft tissues of an animal is amber.