Module 1: Origins and History of Animal Life on Earth

The smallest unit of life capable of carrying out all the processes associated with life.

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

Organisms like plants that can create their own food using energy from the sun and nutrients from the environment.

The molecule that carries genetic information and instructs cells how to build proteins.

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism, including energy production, nutrient utilization, and building new structures.

A timeline that describes events in Earth's history, including the formation of geological features and the evolution of life.

The earliest eon in Earth's history, known for the emergence of early life forms like blue-green algae and bacteria.

The branch of biology focused on the study of animals, including their structure, physiology, behavior, classification, and distribution.

A period of rapid species extinction, often attributed to environmental changes or catastrophic events.

A period of time in the Phanerozoic eon marked by a significant decline in biodiversity.