Which organism could be used as an index fossil?

Which organism could be used as an index fossil?

Index fossils are the basis for defining boundaries in the geologic time scale and for the correlation of strata. In marine strata, index fossils that are commonly used include the single-celled Protista with hard body parts and larger forms such as ammonoids.

Which organism has the best index fossil?

Answer: A good index fossil is one with four characteristics: it is distinctive, widespread, abundant, and limited in geologic time. Because most fossil-bearing rocks formed in the ocean, the major index fossils are marine organisms.

Where are index fossils found?

Other major index fossils are small or microscopic, part of the floating plankton in the world ocean. These are handy because of their small size. They can be found even in small bits of rock, such as wellbore cuttings. Because their tiny bodies rained down all over the ocean, they can be found in all kinds of rocks.

Can humans be index fossils?

These are called index fossils. It is possible that humans also will be good index fossils at some time in the distant future. Humans have distinct hard parts, and we often bury our dead.

What organism is not used as index fossil?

3) Name three organisms represented that probably could not be used as index fossils and explain why. The brachiopod, crinoid, eurypterid, foraminifera, gastropod, horn coral, pelecypod, and trilobite could probably not be used as index fossils since they overlap more than one stratum.

What can index fossils tell us?

Index fossils are used to define geological periods. These fossils can be defined as “commonly found, widely distributed fossils that are limited in time span.” If one finds an index fossil in a given layer, then one has bounds on the age of the layer. Using index fossils, the geological periods are defined.

What can we learn from fossil records?

By studying the fossil record we can tell how long life has existed on Earth, and how different plants and animals are related to each other. Often we can work out how and where they lived, and use this information to find out about ancient environments. Fossils can tell us a lot about the past.

How are ages of fossils determined by carbon dating?

Absolute ages of fossils are determined by using carbon dating technology. c. Marine organisms with hard body parts rarely become fossils. d. Fossils are an indicator of ancient environmental conditions. Scientists found trilobite and brachiopod index fossils in cliffs a great distance apart from each other.

Are there any fossils from the early Eocene Epoch?

Scientists have discovered a fossil skeleton of a whale-like creature that lived in the early Eocene epoch. The skeleton shows an organism with large fore and hind limbs with distinct toes. Fossil skeletons of closely related species from later periods show organisms lacking hind limbs.

How are fossils found in the state of Florida?

Rich beds of marine fossils have been found in Florida. By dating these fossils, scientists can BEST determine a. the date when organisms moved onto dry land. b. when Florida collided with the North American continent. c. when the atmosphere of Earth was more humid than it is today.

Which is transition is most responsible for gaps in the fossil record?

Which transition is MOST responsible for gaps in the fossil record? Rich beds of marine fossils have been found in Florida. By dating these fossils, scientists can BEST determine a. the date when organisms moved onto dry land. b. when Florida collided with the North American continent.