45 Questions
Which type of rock is typically formed in a deep water environment?
Shale
What is the main difference between shale and sandstone?
Size of particles
What does the study of fossils tell us?
The complexity of life over time
What is faunal succession?
The increase in complexity of fossils over time
What is the main driving force behind evolution?
Genetic diversity
Relative dating is used to determine the age of rocks based on
Their position in the rock record
What is the significance of an unconformity in relative dating?
It indicates missing time in the rock record
Which type of unconformity is shown in the image?
Non-conformity
What does the presence of a non-conformity indicate?
A change in rock type
How can relative dating be used to estimate the time it took for deposition to occur?
By measuring the thickness of the rock layers
What is genetic diversity?
The presence of differing characteristics within a population
What happened to the peppered moth population during the industrial revolution in England?
The population experienced a change in wing coloration
What is the significance of the sea turtle example mentioned in the text?
It showcases the process of natural selection and the survival of the fittest
What negative outcome is associated with some interpretations of Darwinism?
The belief in the superiority of certain racial or ethnic groups
What is a key characteristic of nature mentioned in the text?
The presence of more individuals being born than can survive
What is one of the largest proofs of evolution mentioned in the text?
Fossils
What is the process called when dissolved silica replaces wood under certain conditions?
Per mineralization
What is the most common type of fossilization mentioned in the text?
Molds and casts
Which type of fossil is easy to identify because it is used to grind up food?
Gastroliths
Why are most organisms not preserved as fossils?
They don't have hard parts
What is the significance of the fossil called archaeopteryx?
It is a transitional species between dinosaurs and birds
What is the main concept behind the idea of 'survival of the fittest' in nature?
Nature selects the most appropriate characteristics
What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?
Natural selection occurs in nature, while artificial selection is controlled by humans
Why do flying squirrels have flaps of skin between their legs?
To help them glide between trees and escape predators
During the transition from apes to monkeys, what were some adaptations that occurred?
Standing upright to look for predators
What is a living fossil?
A fossil that has not changed over time
What is correlation in the context of geology?
The alignment of rock layers across different locations
What is the significance of fossils in correlation?
They help determine the age of rocks
What is the main difference between the modern ape and the common ancestor of humans and apes?
The modern ape has adapted to a different environment
How did the shift in diet impact the development of modern monkeys?
It led to the development of a larger brain
Which element undergoes a change from nitrogen-14 to carbon-14 through the bombardment of neutrons from cosmic rays?
Nitrogen
What is the approximate half-life of carbon-14?
5730 years
What is carbon-14 dating primarily used for?
Dating organic matter
Which era are we currently in?
Cenozoic
What is the largest expanse of time in geological history?
Eon
What is the informal term used to describe anything that happened before complex life?
Precambrian
Which of the following best describes radioactive decay?
The process by which an atom gains or loses neutrons
What is a half-life?
The time required for half of the radioactive parent isotope to decay
What is the main limitation of carbon dating?
It can only be used to date rocks that are less than 60,000 years old
Which type of fossil is commonly used to determine relative age?
Index fossils
What is the process called when a radioactive substance decays into another atom type?
Radioactive decay
Which type of radioactivity involves the emission of a helium nucleus?
Alpha emission
Which era represents the largest portion of Earth's history?
Pre-Cambrian
What event marks the appearance of life in the fossil record?
The transition from the Pre-Cambrian eon to the Phanerozoic eon
What are the three eras of the geologic time scale?
Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
Study Notes
Geologic Time Scale and Fossil Record
- Carbon-14 is an unstable isotope that decays radioactively.
- The amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere is dependent on the amount of solar energy hitting the nitrogen in the upper atmosphere.
- Relative dating of rock layers has been replaced by radiometric dating, which provides absolute ages for rocks.
- Ignite rocks are the easiest to date because their solidification starts the radiometric clock.
- The geologic time scale is divided into eras, eons, periods, and epochs.
- The Pre-Cambrian era represents about 88% of Earth's history.
- The transition from the Pre-Cambrian eon to the Phanerozoic eon marks the appearance of life in the fossil record.
- The Cambrian explosion, around 541 million years ago, saw the appearance of organisms with hard parts due to increased oxygen levels.
- The geologic time scale is linked to geological and biological changes.
- The Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras represent old life, middle life, and new life, respectively.
- The periods within these eras are characterized by specific geological and biological events, such as the age of trilobites and the age of dinosaurs.
- The Carboniferous period is divided into epochs in the United States due to the presence of well-preserved coal deposits.
Test your knowledge on the significance of conformity in terms of relative dating. Understand the difference between relative and absolute dating methods and how continuous deposition can provide insights into the formation of rocks under specific conditions, such as an ocean environment.
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