Is DNA The New Fossil?

Josh Welch

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) TubesFor the past couple of centuries we have been learning about our distant past by digging up fossils of creatures and plants. 

Fossils are great for giving us an idea of what the structure of a plant or animal looked like, but there is a lot of information that they can't tell us. 

This is where DNA can be extremely helpful. There is DNA everywhere on Earth because living creatures are constantly shedding it as dead skin cells, hair, etc. 

Scientists can now take samples from deep within the earth and then test the DNA that is found to learn a whole new wealth of information. 

Check out the SciShow video below to learn more and remember to leave us a comment. 

To learn more about DNA testing, check out our previous article here!