The correct comparison is:
Both fossils and trace fossils are created by organisms from very long ago. However, a fossil is created by the organism itself, and a trace fossil is created by the activity of the organism rather than the organism itself.
Explanation:
- A fossil typically refers to the remains or physical evidence of an organism (like bones, shells, or plant parts).
- A trace fossil refers to the indirect evidence of an organism's activity (like footprints, burrows, or scratch marks).
Thus, the distinction lies in the fact that fossils represent the actual remains of the organism, while trace fossils represent the behaviors or activities associated with the organisms.