Walking With Monsters Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Describe the plant-life and atmosphere of the earth during this period.

Much of the earth was covered in vast swamp forest with fifty meter distant relatives of ferns. Over one-third of the air was oxygen, making it an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

What physical changes have reptiles undergone compared to fish and amphibians that gives them a much greater range on land?

Tough scaly skin that traps moisture inside their body.

Incredibly large arthropods lived during this time. What modern arthropods do they resemble?

Mesothelae- spiders, Meganeurid- dragonflies, Arthropleura- millipedes.

Why were arthropods able to get so unusually large during the Carboniferous period?

The oxygen concentration in the Earth's atmosphere during the Carboniferous period was much higher than at any time in history. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage did the Petrolacosaurus have that allowed it to survive the huge fire?

It outran the flames with speed and stamina. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the climate changed moving into the next time period. Which group of animals did this favor? Why?

The climate was drying and the atmosphere was losing oxygen. This favored the reptiles because they had efficient hearts and waterproof skin. Signup and view all the answers

What type of tree emerged and became dominant during this time period?

Primitive conifers. Signup and view all the answers

What purpose did the sails of edaphosaurus and dimetrodon serve?

These large sails help them control their body temperature. To heat up, they turn their sails towards the sun. Signup and view all the answers

What additional adaptations did dimetrodon have that made it such an effective predator?

She evolved specialized teeth; incisors shear off chunks of flesh and serrated canines cut and slice. Signup and view all the answers

What behaviors were present in dimetrodon that helped increase the survival rate of its offspring?

She evolved a basic form of parental care, guarding her eggs and monitoring the nest's temperature. Signup and view all the answers

How might the practice of cannibalism, even from the mother herself, actually help the evolution of the dimetrodon species?

It weeds out the weak and leaves the strong so that the species as a whole have a better chance of survival. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what changes reptiles underwent as the Permian period proceeded.

-legs straighten and lengthen (holding them upright and giving them speed); -backbones and muscles get stronger; -skull bones expand to house a larger brain; -huge, sharp teeth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant-Life and Atmosphere

Earth was dominated by vast swamp forests with fern relatives growing up to fifty meters.
The atmosphere contained over one-third oxygen, creating an oxygen-rich environment.

Reptilian Adaptations

Reptiles evolved tough, scaly skin that retains moisture, enhancing their ability to inhabit land.

Giant Arthropods

Mesothelae resembled modern spiders.
Meganeurid were analogous to modern dragonflies.
Arthropleura compared to contemporary millipedes.

Arthropod Size

High oxygen levels during the Carboniferous period facilitated unusually large sizes in arthropods.

Petrolacosaurus Survival

Speed and stamina enabled Petrolacosaurus to escape fire, contributing to its survival.

Climate Transition and Impact on Animals

Transitioning climate became drier with declining oxygen levels.
Reptiles thrived due to their efficient hearts and waterproof skin, providing an evolutionary advantage.

Dominant Tree Species

Primitive conifers emerged as the dominant tree species during this period.

Function of Sails in Reptiles

Edaphosaurus and Dimetrodon featured large sails made of vertebrae and tissue for thermoregulation, allowing them to absorb heat from the sun.

Dimetrodon's Predatory Adaptations

Dimetrodon possessed specialized teeth: incisors for shearing flesh and serrated canines for cutting.

Parental Care in Dimetrodon

Exhibited basic parental care behaviors, such as guarding eggs and monitoring nest temperatures to increase offspring survival.

Cannibalism as an Evolutionary Advantage

Cannibalism, including maternal consumption, helps eliminate weak individuals, enhancing the overall survival of the species.

Reptilian Evolution in the Permian Period

Leg structure evolved for upright posture and increased speed.
Strengthened backbones and muscles supported enhanced mobility.
Skull bones expanded, allowing for a larger brain.
Development of large, sharp teeth improved predatory efficiency.

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Description

Explore the pre-dinosaur era with these informative flashcards that cover the atmospheric and physical transformations on Earth. Learn about the lush plant life and significant adaptations of reptiles in a highly oxygenated environment. This quiz is perfect for anyone interested in prehistoric life and evolution.