AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Organisms with hard parts (bones, shells) have a good chance of fossilization while soft-bodied organisms are rarely fossilized. The enamel and dentin of teeth are harder than bone and as a result, teeth are more likely to be fossilized than other parts of a vertebrate.

Detailed explanation-2: -The hard parts of organisms, such as bones, shells, and teeth have a better chance of becoming fossils than do softer parts. One reason for this is that scavengers generally do not eat these parts. Hard parts also decay more slowly than soft parts, giving more time for them to be buried.

Detailed explanation-3: -Organisms with soft parts are rarely preserved because the soft tissue rapidly decomposes. Hard parts such as bones and shells are more readily fossilized.

Detailed explanation-4: -Soft parts are more likely to decay than hard parts. For this reason, the most common fossils are bones, teeth, shells, and the woody stems of plants. For a fossil to form, an organism must be buried quickly so that any oxygen is cut off and its decay slows down or stops.

Detailed explanation-5: -Fossils are more likely to be preserved in marine environments for example, where rapid burial by sediments is possible. Less favourable environments include rocky mountaintops where carcasses decay quickly or few sediments are being deposited to bury them.