cenozoic fossils Flashcards
What time period does the Cenozoic era cover?
The Cenozoic era covers approximately the last 66 million years.
True or False: The Cenozoic era is known as the ‘Age of Mammals’.
True
Fill in the blank: The Cenozoic era is divided into three periods: the Paleogene, the Neogene, and the _________.
Quaternary
What are the two epochs of the Quaternary period?
The Pleistocene and the Holocene.
Which major land mammal group first appeared during the Paleogene period?
Mammals.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a characteristic of the Cenozoic era? A) Dominance of reptiles B) Diversification of mammals C) Extinction of dinosaurs
B) Diversification of mammals
True or False: The Cenozoic era saw the development of flowering plants.
True
What is the significance of the fossil record from the Cenozoic era?
It provides insights into the evolution of mammals, birds, and flowering plants.
Fill in the blank: The Cenozoic era followed the ________ era.
Mesozoic
What major climatic change occurred during the Cenozoic era?
The global climate cooled, leading to the formation of polar ice caps.
Multiple choice: Which group of mammals evolved into modern whales? A) Artiodactyls B) Carnivores C) Primates
A) Artiodactyls
What is the name of the epoch that began about 2.6 million years ago?
The Pleistocene epoch.
True or False: The Cenozoic era is characterized by the rise of birds.
True
What type of fossils are commonly found from the Cenozoic era?
Mammal bones, shells of marine organisms, and plant remains.
Fill in the blank: The early Cenozoic era is also known as the ________ period.
Paleogene
What is the most significant event marking the transition from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic?
The mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a major group of mammals that evolved in the Cenozoic? A) Primates B) Dinosaurs C) Rodents
B) Dinosaurs
What adaptation allowed mammals to diversify during the Cenozoic?
The development of warm-bloodedness and fur.
True or False: The Cenozoic era includes the development of human ancestors.
True
What role did plate tectonics play during the Cenozoic era?
It influenced the distribution of continents and ocean currents, affecting climate and biodiversity.
Fill in the blank: The Neogene period is known for the emergence of ________ mammals.
modern
What is the primary method used to date Cenozoic fossils?
Radiometric dating and biostratigraphy.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a significant Cenozoic fossil site? A) La Brea Tar Pits B) Burgess Shale C) Solnhofen Limestone
A) La Brea Tar Pits
True or False: The Cenozoic era is often referred to as the ‘Age of Reptiles’.
False
What type of climate was prevalent during the early Cenozoic?
Warm and humid.
Fill in the blank: The ________ epoch is known for the Ice Ages.
Pleistocene
What is the significance of the Great American Interchange?
It allowed for the exchange of species between North and South America during the Cenozoic.
Multiple choice: Which of these animals is a product of Cenozoic evolution? A) Woolly mammoth B) Tyrannosaurus rex C) Trilobite
A) Woolly mammoth
True or False: The Cenozoic era has seen a significant increase in biodiversity.
True
What major event marked the end of the Pleistocene epoch?
The last Ice Age and the subsequent warming period.
Fill in the blank: The Cenozoic era is characterized by the evolution of ________ species.
modern
What types of plants became dominant during the Cenozoic?
Flowering plants (angiosperms).
Multiple choice: Which of the following epochs is the most recent? A) Pleistocene B) Miocene C) Eocene
A) Pleistocene
True or False: The Cenozoic era is the longest era in Earth’s history.
False
What is the primary focus of paleontologists studying Cenozoic fossils?
To understand the evolution and diversity of life after the dinosaurs.
