Based on this excerpt, how does water cause an animal’s body to become a stone-like fossil?
A) The hydrogen in the water makes the body of an animal very soft, and then turns it into a fossil.
B) The oxygen in the water causes the animal bones to turn into fossils.
C) The water washes the dirt off the animal bones so a fossil can form.
D) The minerals in water fill the space where an animal once was, and then harden to make a fossil.
How does water cause an animal’s body to become a stone-like fossil?
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The correct answer is D) The minerals in water fill the space where an animal once was, and then harden to make a fossil.
Explanation: When an animal dies, its body can be buried in sediment. Over time, water seeps into the buried remains and carries minerals. These minerals replace organic material in the bones and body, filling in spaces and eventually hardening to create a stone-like structure, which is the fossil. This process is known as permineralization. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!