Origin and Evolution of Life — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question

There are four main types of fossils : actual remains, moulds, casts and compressions.
1. Actual remains : The most common type of fossil is actual remains in which the plants, animals and human bodies are seen embedded in permafrost of arctic or alpine snow. Due to severe cold temperature, the bodies remain preserved in the actual state, E.g., Fossil of Woolly Mammoth in Siberia. Many insects and smaller arthropods remained embedded and thus preserved in amber or hardened resin.

2. Moulds : Hardened encasements formed in the outer parts of organic remains of animals or plants form moulds. The organisms later decays leaving cavities or the impression in permanent form. E.g. Footprints.

3. Casts : Casts are hardened pieces of mineral matter which is deposited in the cavities of moulds.

4. Compressions : A thin carbon film indicates the outline of external features of ancient organism, but other structural details are not seen.