Which fossilization process involves the replacement of an organism's tissues with minerals?

The process in which an organism's tissues are replaced with minerals is known as petrification. During this process, organic material is gradually replaced by minerals, often while maintaining the original structure of the organism. This typically occurs when an organism is buried under sediment, which allows minerals from groundwater to seep in and crystallize within the tissues. Over time, this leads to a fossil that retains much of the original material's details but is composed of stone-like minerals instead.

Other fossilization processes differ significantly. Unaltered preservation refers to the circumstances where organisms or their parts, such as bones or shells, remain relatively unchanged in their original form, often preserved in ice or amber. Carbonization involves the reduction of an organism to its carbon residue, which creates a thin film, typically capturing some details without the structure being preserved as stone. Impression fossilization occurs when an organism leaves behind a negative imprint in sediment, and while it captures the shape, it does not involve the replacement of material. Therefore, the correct answer is based on the specific process of minerals replacing the original organic material, which is characteristic of petrification.