What Factors Are the Most Critical in Determining Whether a Fossil

question 42

Multiple Choice

What factors are the most critical in determining whether a fossil is preserved?

• A) the age of the fossil and the age of sediments in which it is preserved
• B) the temperature of the granite and how fast it cooled
• C) whether the creature had hard parts and how fast it was buried
• D) the color of the original organism compared to the color of the sediments in which it is found
• E) whether the creature was a predator or was prey

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Definitions:

Crown Fire

A wildfire that spreads from treetop to treetop, often out of control, and is more intense than a surface fire.

Prescribed Fire

The controlled application of fire by management agencies to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires and to manage ecosystems.

Pacific Yew Tree

A species of tree found in the Pacific Northwest of North America, known scientifically as Taxus brevifolia, used in the production of the cancer drug paclitaxel.