GCSE Combined Science (AQA)

622 videos | 38 hours

Fossils

Please subscribe to watch this video.

This, and all other videos, are included in our premium subscriptions.

Premium accounts get access to all videos.

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution The Development of Understanding of Gentics and Evolution

Fossils

3:04 Evidence for Evolution
Spec 4.6.3.5
Previous Evaluating Genetic Engineering Next The Fossil Record
  • Fossils are remains of organisms from millions of years ago found in rocks.
  • Fossils form when organisms die in conditions that prevent decay, such as low warmth, moisture, and oxygen.
  • Ideal conditions for fossilization include being buried under volcanic ash, sand, silt, in ice, or peat, which are low in oxygen.
  • Layers of sediment like ash or silt can accumulate over a dead organism, applying pressure and heat, which helps in fossil formation.
  • Hard parts of organisms are typically preserved as fossils, as they are replaced by minerals during the decay process, leaving an impression.
  • Soft parts usually decay and are not preserved.
  • Fossils can also include intact animals and plants preserved in substances like ice or peat.
  • Other types of fossils include impressions such as footprints or burrows, and traces of roots known as rootlet traces.

Please subscribe to access these revision notes.

This, and all other video notes, are included in our premium subscriptions.

Premium accounts get access to all videos and revision notes.