Fossil Record

Question 1

uniformitarianism

Answer 1

the principle or assumption that the same natural laws and processes that operate in the universe now have always operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe.

Question 2

catastrophism

Answer 2

the theory that the Earth has been affected in the past by sudden, short-lived, violent events, possibly worldwide in scope.

Question 3

paleontology

Answer 3

a rich field, imbued with a long and interesting past and an even more intriguing and hopeful future

Question 4

relative dating

Answer 4

the science of determining the relative order of past events (i.e., the age of an object in comparison to another), without necessarily determining their absolute age, (i.e. estimated age)

Question 5

absolute dating

Answer 5

the process of determining an age on a specified time scale in archaeology and geology. Some scientists prefer the terms chronometric or calendar dating, as use of the word “absolute” implies an unwarranted certainty and precision.

Question 6

superposition

Answer 6

a principle of quantum theory that describes a challenging concept about the nature and behavior of matter and forces at the sub-atomic level.

Question 7

isotope

Answer 7

atom of a given element may have a wide range in its number of neutrons

Question 8

radioactive decay

Answer 8

known as nuclear decay or radioactivity, is the process by which a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation

Question 9

half-life

Answer 9

the time taken for the radioactivity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original value.

Question 10

fossil

Answer 10

the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock.

Question 11

trace fossil

Answer 11

provide us with indirect evidence of life in the past, such as the footprints, tracks, burrows, borings, and feces left behind by animals, rather than the preserved remains of the body of the actual animal itself

Question 12

mold

Answer 12

a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts

Question 13

cast

Answer 13

throw (something) forcefully in a specified direction.

Question 14

unconformity

Answer 14

a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.

Question 15

Mass extinction

Answer 15

a widespread and rapid decrease in the amount of life on Earth

Question 16

Jurasstic period

Answer 16

a unique time in history that saw the rise, proliferation, and sudden disappearance of the dinosaurs

Question 17

Cretaceous period

Answer 17

65 millions years ago

Question 18

Devonian period

Answer 18

a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period

Question 19

Quaternary period

Answer 19

a geologic time period that encompasses the most recent 2.6 million years