Fossils are useful in classification of plants. iv. Fossil plants can be used in the field of descriptive and comparative anatomy. Kaspar Maria Von Sternberg He is the “ Father of Paleobotany ” ( – ) was born in Europe.
He established the Bohemian National Museum in Prague and is deemed to be the founder of Modern Paleobotany. Birbal Sahani He is the “ Father of Indian Paleobotany ” ( – ). He presented his research on two different areas of Paleobotany (i) The anatomy and morphology of Paleozoic Ferns (ii) The fossil plants of the Indian Gondwana Formations. .
. Fossilization The process of formation of fossil in the rocks is called fossilization. Common methods of fossilization includes petrifaction, molds and cast, carbonization, preservation, compression and infiltration. Petrifaction Minerals like silica slowly penetrate in and replace the original organic tissue and forms a rock like fossil.
This method of fossilization can preserve hard and soft parts . Most bones and wood fossils are petrified. Mold and Cast A replica of a plant or animal is preserved in sedimentary rocks . When the organism gets buried in sediment it is dissolved by underground water leaving a hollow depression called a mold.
It shows the original shape but does not reveal the internal structure . Minerals or sediment fill the hollow depression and forms a cast. Preservation Original remains can be preserved in ice or amber (tree sap). They protect the organisms from decay.
The entire plant or animal is preserved. Compression When an organism dies, the hard parts of their bodies settle at the bottom of the sea bed and are covered by sediment . The process of sedimentation goes on continuously and fossils are formed. Infiltration or Replacement The precipitation of minerals takes place which later on infiltrate the cell wall.
The process is brought about by several mineral elements such as silica, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Hard parts are dissolved and replaced by these minerals. Living Fossils: These are living organisms that are similar in appearance to their fossilized distant ancestors and usually have