Fossils Of Ancient Life

The author and his colleagues chose to focus on 375 million year old rocks in their search for fossils because amphibians that look dissimilar to fish were discovered in 365 million year old rocks, while fish without amphibian characteristics were discovered in 385 million year old rocks. Thus, it is possible that the evolutionary intermediary, or the “missing link” between fish and amphibians, would be discovered in 375 million year old rocks, between the two time periods. The rocks examined were sedimentary in composition, as the gradual and relatively gentle formation of sedimentary rock under conditions of mild pressure and low heat are conducive to the fossilization of animal remains. Sedimentary rock is also often formed in rivers and seas, where animals are likely to live. This site provides a resource that describes means by which fossils are formed and how the fossil record may be interpreted, and shows some examples of fossils demonstrating evolution through geological periods: http://www.fossilmuseum.net/fossilrecord.htm. In 2004, Shubin and his colleagues were looking for fossils on Ellesmere Island, in northern Canada. This location was chosen because of its lack of human development, as well as of obstructing natural formations and life forms such as trees, which

There are a lot of misconceptions while talking about fossils. Fossils are not limited to the remains of a once living thing, but rather the evidence of life that existed in the past. This means that a fossil can be a dinosaur footprint, the form of a body on dry mud, bones, etc.

The author and his colleagues specifically chose to focus on 375 million year old rocks in their search for fossils because this was the time frame that provided fish that would be useful to study from. The 385 million year old rocks provided fish that look too similar to the ones we have now and the 365 million year old rocks have fossils that don’t resemble fish. The 375 million year old rocks, however, provide fossils that show the transition between fish and land living animals.

Fossils Tell of Long Ago uses accessible language and illustrations to aid all students in vocabulary and new concept growth. Explicit instructions, reading the book allowed to the class, and allowing conversation among individual students as they work through learning new words will aid ELL students in expanding their word knowledge. Furthermore, having ELL students translate new word to into their native language will help them activate their previous knowledge. Encouraging all students to be actively engage in learning words will ensure that ELL students and all students will gain knowledge and make connections to new words.

Paleontology or paleobiology is the study of plant, animal, and microorganism fossils found on the earth. Paleobotany focuses on algae, fungi, mosses, ferns, seed plants

AP Biology summer Reading Chapter 1 1. The author chose to focus on 375 million year old rock because the transition from fins to necks and limbs occurred then. The scientists knew that any time later than this and they would find lots of animals with limbs. But if they searched earlier than this time then there are only fish without necks. When the fish were evolving they evolved necks before they evolved limbs so this was a good sign in chronology. Sedimentary rocks are the best types of rocks for fossil due to their gradual pressure and low amounts of heat. Sedimentary rock is also found in lake beds and streams, where fish and aquatic wildlife are most likely to live.

Fossil Analysis Paper Locomotion The skeletal characteristics of these hominines suggest that their mode of locomotion was likely a cross between occasional bipedalism and obligate bipedalism. From the reading we have learned that obligate bipedalism is bipedal locomotion that is practiced all of the time while occasional bipedalism is bipedalism that is practiced on occasion. The ratio of arm length to leg length (longer arms) suggests that they did spend time climbing trees, however the cranial and post cranial traits of these fossils suggest that they spent much of their time on the ground and likely ambulating bipedally combined with a variation of upright walking and knuckle walking. This is evidenced by two factors: the fact the foramen magnum of the skull is centrally located, and the ratio of arm to leg length. In creatures with bipedal ambulation, the foramen magnum is located in the center of the base of the skull to keep the head aligned over the center of gravity of the creature. If the fossils were walking primarily with their knuckles, the

Ricardo Arias ENVS 300 Professor Fieldman May 13, 3015 Journal #3 For my second activity, I attended a meeting of Fossil Free SFSU. This organization is fighting to completely divest San Francisco State University from any connections with the fossil fuel industry. Meaning, this organization is campaigning for SFSU to eliminate all stocks, funds, bonds, etc.- anything associated to fossil fuels. I attended the meeting at a perfect time because it was sort of an introduction to what the organization is about and what they have planned for the future. It began with a quick introduction of everybody, and then we quickly went to business. We discussed and brainstormed what is needed to become a successful campaign team. I really

The fossils in the lower silty layers were most likely formed below water by normal geological processes. The sea level rose covering the organisms and the layers of silt settled above them. In the upper sandy layers the fossils could have been formed above water by a sudden catastrophic event as a result of ongoing erosive processes. The conditions in which the fossils formed were likely a result of wave action which eroded the coast line until it was unstable. When the sea level receded there was a landslide covering the

Throughout this first chapter, I think that I already believe that I will enjoy this book. At the start however, the book could not be any more boring. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks was all I could think of. I have always been one to enjoy learning new things as long as they are interesting subjects, but learning about older and younger rocks, how rocks move throughout time, and what can be discovered from those rocks, that doesn’t sound too interesting. I did learn something though. It was no real surprise to me that you can get so much information from rocks once I thought about it, but how they do it still surprises me.

Relate the conditions on early Earth to the origin of organic molecules Although early Earth was hostile, it provided a great environment for the production of organic molecules. Events such as lightning, volcanic eruptions, meteorites, radioactivity in the Earth’s crust, and the easy access of ultraviolet light, are thought to have provided the energy for these molecules to produce. Therefore, the conditions of early Earth were critical in the commencing of the first organic molecules.

Some skills I hope to develop in participating in this experience are a broad understanding of how to conduct research, utilizing it beyond the college environment. In addition, I anticipate this will train and offer an in-depth knowledge of Paleobiology that a course and a textbook could not. One reason

The last animal I am going to talk about are the reptiles. During this time, reptiles were changing and evolving quickly. Some reptiles had sharp teeth that is similar to our modern-day crocodile. Others had scaly and thick skin, which would keep them hydrated if they were away from water for a while.There were also small reptiles, whose fossils were found inside tree stumps. Amphibians and fish also thrived during this time. The first dinosaurs like the t-rex, spinosaurus, and velociraptor, were also first appearing.

These techniques led to the discovery of the boundary between the two eras. A single thin layer of clay found within predominantly limestone rocks established this. By comparing the marine life found in, above, and below the clay, the marine life, like the dinosaurs, had been terribly affected by the extinction event. The percentage of life in the upper layers was dramatically lower than that in the lower. This was far more compelling than what was suggested by dinosaur’s fossils.

Background The Upper Paleolithic era – an era between 40,000 and 11,000 years ago – contained peoples in what is now France and Spain navigating pitch-black caves, painting on walls and ceilings pieces of artwork that would eventually become a part of the archaeological record. In 1987, Sophie de Beaune researched the Upper Paleolithic lamp – she and her team established typology, discovered how each type worked, and learned where and how each was used. These lamps were most commonly found in southwest France, and only 19.5% were found deep in caves – instead, they were often placed at “strategic” points where individuals would often pass (such as entrances and intersections), most likely so the lamps could be found and reused.