Fossil Record

Question 1

Uniformitarianism

Answer 1

the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes.

Question 2

catastrophism

Answer 2

the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events.

Question 3

paleontology

Answer 3

the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants

Question 4

relative dating

Answer 4

is 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

each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element.

Question 8

radioactive decay

Answer 8

The spontaneous transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus into a lighter one, in which radiation is released in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and other particles.

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

a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or other trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.

Question 12

mold

Answer 12

a distinctive and typical style, form, or character

Question 13

cast

Answer 13

an object made by shaping molten metal or similar material in a mold.

Question 14

unconformity

Answer 14

a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.

Question 15

mass extinction

Answer 15

is a relatively sudden, global decrease in the diversity of life forms.

Question 16

Jurassic period

Answer 16

geologic period and system that extends from 201.3± 0.6 Ma (million years ago) to 145± 4 Ma; from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Reptiles.

Question 17

Cretaceous period

Answer 17

greatest development and subsequent extinction of dinosaurs and the advent of flowering plants and modern insects.

Question 18

Devonian period

Answer 18

geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period, about 419.2 ± 3.2 Mya (million years ago), to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 358.9 ± 0.4.

Question 19

Quaternary period

Answer 19

is the current and most recent of the three periods of the Cenozoic Era in the geologic time scale of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). It follows the Neogene Period and spans from 2.588 ± 0.005 million years ago to the present