chapter 19 vocab Flashcards
1
Q
relative dating
A
determines the relative age of a rock layer
2
Q
index fossils
A
distinctive fossils used to establish and compare the relative ages of rock layers and the fossils they contain
3
Q
radioactive dating
A
the use of half-lives of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a sample
4
Q
half-life
A
length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
5
Q
gradualism
A
slow and gradual change
6
Q
punctuated equilibrium
A
long stable period interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change
7
Q
convergent evolution
A
the appearance of similar characteristics in unrelated organisms
8
Q
coevolution
A
the process by which two species evolve in response to changes in each other over time
