GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Many plants and animals do not become fossils because they decompose or are eaten before they can be fossilized. Organisms decompose quicker when exposed to oxygen. Dead organisms are also more likely to be eaten by scavengers when exposed to the open environment. Most organisms decompose fairly quickly after they die.

Detailed explanation-2: -For an organism to become a fossil, it must not decompose or be eaten. This can happen if the organism either lives within or is moved to a place where it can be buried and kept from decaying. When an organism is buried quickly, there is less decay and the better the chance for it to be preserved.

Detailed explanation-3: -Organisms can be preserved in tar, amber or ice. 5. How does the environment affect the formation of fossils? Environments in which rapid and complete burial can occur quickly, such as the ocean floor or lake bottoms, are much more conducive to the formation of fossils.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fossils are formed in many different ways, but most are formed when a living organism (such as a plant or animal) dies and is quickly buried by sediment (such as mud, sand or volcanic ash).

Detailed explanation-5: -For a soft-bodied animal to be fossilized, its body must be protected from decomposition. The body is usually exposed to air and water with a lot of oxygen, so it decomposes rapidly. The animal is likely to be fossilized only if it is buried soon after it dies (or when it is buried alive!).