Answer :
Final answer:
Sedimentary rocks often contain fossils because they are formed from organic debris or the shells of living organisms. Early life forms, such as stromatolites, are found fossilized in these rocks, providing key insights into Earth's biological history.
Explanation:
Sedimentary rocks are often fossiliferous because they are formed from fragments of igneous rock or the shells of living organisms deposited by wind or water and cemented together without melting. This process is very common on Earth and has resulted in the formation of various types of sedimentary rocks such as sandstones, shales, and limestones. It is crucial to note that, nearly all land masses on Earth are blanketed in at least a thin layer of sedimentary rocks.
One of the earliest forms of life, cyanobacteria, known as stromatolites, are found fossilized in sedimentary rocks. These micro-organisms could photosynthesize and are thought to have played a significant role in the oxygenation of the atmosphere. Fossil evidence of this photosynthesis process, which is over 3 billion years old, can be found in the solid, layered rock formations of stromatolites, indicating the ancient presence of life on our planet.
Thus, sedimentary rocks play a critical role in providing valuable insight into the biological history of the Earth, as they preserve fossils - the remains of ancient life forms - within them.
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