How Fossils Are Made: This one page handout explains how fossils are made and the kinds of fossils paleontologists study. Fossils Crossword: This crossword on fossils reviews all the terms and content from the 'How Fossils Are Made' handout above.
To decay means to rot, decompose, break down. Our bodiesâanything organicâwill decay after death. Broken sidewalks, potholes, graffiti are all signs of urban decay. Tooth decay is something to avoid. Decay can also mean decline. Anyone, even a great athlete, must exercise regularly to maintain muscle toneâas soon as you stop, the muscles begin to decay. If the strength of the cable signal coming into your house grows weaker over time, you can complain that it has decayed.
Decomposition is the natural process of dead animal or plant tissue being rotted or broken down. This process is carried out by invertebrates, fungi and bacteria. The result of decomposition is that the building blocks required for life can be recycled. Left: The body of a dead rabbit after several weeks of decomposition. Most of the flesh has been eaten by beetles, beetle larvae, fly maggots, carnivorous slugs and bacteria. The outline of the skeleton is starting to appear. All living organisms on earth will eventually die.