Geological Time Scale Overview
10 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Match each geologic time unit with its corresponding definition, based on the provided text:

Eon = A unit of time equal to a billion years Era = A division of time within an eon, but not fixed to a specific duration Period = A subdivision of an era, with its length determined by fossil evidence Epoch = A time period marked by a notable event

Match the following evolutionary mechanisms with their corresponding descriptions based on the provided text:

Mutation = A change in DNA sequence that can alter allele frequencies, but often has a small impact on evolution. Natural Selection = Wherein an allele either increases or decreases an organism's fitness, leading to changes in allele frequencies. Artificial Selection = The process of humans choosing desirable traits in organisms for breeding, leading to targeted changes in allele frequencies. Genetic Drift = Random fluctuations in allele frequencies in a population, particularly significant in small populations.

Match the following examples with the corresponding evolutionary mechanisms they illustrate:

The change in beak size in a bird population due to random chance events = Genetic Drift The breeding of purebred German Shepherds with purebred Huskies to produce crossbreed offspring = Artificial Selection The evolution of green tree frogs in green vegetation environments for camouflage = Natural Selection The development of brown coloration in offspring of brightly colored parents due to a change in their genes = Mutation

Match the geological periods with the major events they witnessed based on the provided timeline:

<p>Paleozoic = Animals with exoskeleton (trilobites) became diverse Mesozoic = Age of reptiles in marine and terrestrial habitats Cenozoic = Age of mammals</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the geological periods with their respective characteristics based on the provided timeline:

<p>Mesozoic = Pangea existed; extinction of species in the Paleozoic era led to rapid evolution of life forms Cenozoic = Grasslands expanded and forests shrank; Homo sapiens started to evolve Paleozoic = Reptiles colonized land; First insect appeared and developed wings later on</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the geological periods with the major events they witnessed, focusing on the evolution of life forms:

<p>Mesozoic = Dinosaurs became extinct during the Cretaceous period; Archaeopteryx evolved, a combination of bird and reptile Paleozoic = Amphibians became diverse and moved inland Cenozoic = Grass species evolved; Animals fit to open landscape allowing the predator-prey relationship</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms related to population evolution with their corresponding definitions:

<p>Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium = A state where a population's genetic makeup remains constant over generations Allele = The variant form of a gene Evolution = Change in the genetic makeup of a population over generations Population = A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the geological eras with their respective characteristics:

<p>Cenozoic = Age of mammals; Pangea drifted dividing it into continents; Homo sapiens started to evolve Mesozoic = Age of reptiles; Dinosaurs appeared on land; Pterosaurs conquered the sky Paleozoic = Extinction of species; Gymnosperms replaced earlier plants; Amphibians became diverse and moved inland</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their corresponding descriptions:

<p>Pterosaurs = Flying reptiles that dominated the sky during the Mesozoic Era Ichthyosaurs = Marine reptiles that dominated the oceans during the Mesozoic Era Archaeopteryx = A transitional fossil that exhibits traits of both birds and reptiles Gymnosperms = Seed-bearing plants that dominated the land during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to evolutionary changes with their corresponding definitions:

<p>Predator-prey relationship = An interaction between two species where one species (the predator) hunts and consumes the other (the prey) Genetic makeup = The complete set of genes or genetic material present in an organism Natural selection = The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully Adaptation = A trait or characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Eon

A unit of geological time equal to a billion years. It's the largest unit of geological time.

Era

A subdivision of an eon. They are not fixed in length and are defined by major geological or biological events.

Period

A division within an era, defined by the fossils found in the rock layers of that period.

Epoch

The smallest unit of geological time, marked by specific events that are memorable in the Earth's history.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hadean Eon

The first eon of Earth's history, spanning from 4.5 billion years ago to 4 billion years ago. It was characterized by a very hot Earth and the formation of the early atmosphere and oceans.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Archean Eon

The second eon of Earth's history, spanning from about 4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago. It saw the emergence of the first life forms, primarily single-celled organisms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Proterozoic Eon

The third eon of Earth's history, spanning from 2.5 billion to 540 million years ago. It saw the diversification of life forms and the development of multicellular organisms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Phanerozoic Eon

The current eon of Earth's history, beginning 540 million years ago. It's characterized by the evolution of complex life forms, including vertebrates, plants, and ultimately humans.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mesozoic Era

A period of geological time characterized by the dominance of reptiles and the emergence of dinosaurs, flight, and aquatic forms like ichthyosaurs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Pangaea

The supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, comprising all of today's landmasses.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction

The extinction event that marks the end of the Mesozoic era, leading to the decline of dinosaurs and the rise of mammals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

An evolutionary principle that states that a population's genetic makeup remains constant over generations if there are no external factors influencing it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Alleles

The different forms of a gene that can exist in a population, leading to variations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Evolution

A change in the genetic makeup of a population over generations, driven by various factors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Evolutionary Adaptation

The process where species adapt and change in response to shifts in the environment, competition, or other pressures.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Continental Drift

The theory describing the gradual shift of continents across the Earth's surface over millions of years.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Allele Frequencies & Genotype Frequencies

Allele frequencies, or the proportions of different gene forms, are linked with genotype frequencies, the proportions of different combinations of these genes. This connection is expressed by a specific mathematical equation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mutation

Mutation is any permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene. This change can alter an allele, creating variation. It's the source of new genetic variations in a population.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Effects of Mutation

Mutation can have different impacts on an organism's traits. Some mutations can be beneficial, aiding survival and reproduction. Others can be harmful, hindering an organism's ability to thrive.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. These advantageous traits become more common over time.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Genetic Drift

Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population due to chance events. It happens more frequently in small populations because random events have a more significant impact.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Artificial Selection

Artificial selection, or selective breeding, allows humans to deliberately choose desirable traits in plants or animals. This speeds up evolutionary change compared to natural selection.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Genetic Drift vs. Mutation

Genetic drift involves changes in allele frequencies due to chance factors, while mutations introduce new genetic variations. Both contribute to the continual evolution of populations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Geological Time Scale

  • Used by scientists to divide Earth's history based on major events and species changes
  • Acts as a calendar of major climatic and geological events
  • Shows events affecting species disappearance/emergence
  • EON: Unit of time equal to one billion years
  • ERA: Division of time within an eon, length not fixed
  • PERIOD: Subdivision of an era, length based on fossil evidence
  • EPOCH: Time period marked by a significant event

Eras, Periods, and Epochs (Table)

  • Shows a hierarchical breakdown of Earth's history
  • Displays major time units from oldest to youngest
  • Includes specific examples of eras, periods, and epochs
  • Includes approximate time spans in millions of years (Ma)
  • Shows the geological time scale in a visual format

Important Events and Organisms (Detailed History)

  • Hadean: Earth's crust cooled, oceans formed, chemical reactions occurred, earliest unicellular life
  • Archean: Unicellular organisms emerged, atmosphere primarily volcanic
  • Proterozoic: Sexual reproduction developed, forests emerged, oxygen levels increased, diverse life forms
  • Paleozoic: Amphibians and reptiles emerged, land colonization by life forms
  • Mesozoic: Dinosaurs, first birds and insects evolved, age of reptiles, major extinction event
  • Cenozoic: Age of mammals, continents drifted, grasslands expanded, human evolution, major ice ages occurred.

Mechanisms of Population Change

  • Populations evolve through genetic makeup changes over generations.
  • Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Stable genetic makeup in populations without change
  • Alleles: Variations of genes
  • Example of butterflies' wing color: Two alleles for color, frequency of colors can change due to various factors in a population
  • Formula: p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1 (Used to calculate the frequencies of a population's alleles)

Genetic Mechanisms

  • Mutations: Changes in DNA sequences, source of genetic variation, can be helpful or harmful to a species
  • Natural Selection: Organisms better suited for their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, allele frequencies change
  • Artificial Selection: Humans select traits for plants/animals, speeding up changes, example purebred dogs
  • Genetic Drift: Changes in allele frequencies in populations due to random events, more likely impactful in smaller populations
  • Recombination: Genes are rearranged during reproduction, leads to new combinations of characteristics, occurs during meiosis

Additional Information

  • Darwin's Potential Illness (mention of potential Chagas disease) affecting Darwin, but not a focus on disease itself
  • Grassland and Animal Development (mentions grassland, animal, human evolution) connecting animal development with the environment they live in.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Features of the History of Life on Earth PDF

Description

Explore the Geological Time Scale that scientists use to categorize Earth's history and significant events. This quiz delves into the major eons, eras, periods, and epochs, highlighting key developments and species changes throughout time. Test your knowledge of geological timelines and their impact on life.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser