Did you know that amber
isn’t a fossil but cross-linked polymerized terpenes?
Amber is the result of sticky plant secretions (resins) that
harden when exposed to air and then undergo the slow process
of cross-linking and polymerization. Consequently, these
resins are extremely resistant to environmental influences.
Resin isn’t sap but rather a mixture that consists
mainly of terpenoid compounds which are both volatile and
nonvolatile.
Terpenoids are molecules
that have structures based on the linkage of isoprene units
(C5H8). Amber containing small animals
such as insects, small lizards (geckos), and small frogs has
been found. In these cases the animal became stuck in the
resin which has then continued to flow over it. As the resin
hardens, the volatile terpenes and other vapours in the resin
penetrate the animal’s tissue and gradually replace the
water and kill bacteria. Air, light and heat from the sun
induce chemical reactions in the resin resulting in
cross-linking of the terpenes.
Thus, the animal is embalmed
and preserved. The animal is so well preserved that in some
cases the DNA is preserved has been removed and studied (made
famous by the movie "Jurassic Park"). These studies
have shown how prehistoric animals are related to their
modern day descendants.
