Hadean Eon Flashcards
Archaean
Anaerobic bacterial life, oxygen starts to accumulate
(3000-2500 Ma)
Relating to the highly metamorphosed rocks formed in the early Precambrian era
Belonging to the earlier of the divisions of Precambrian time (approx. 3.8-2.5 billion years ago)
Adhesion
Frictional grip
The action or process of adhering to a surface or object
Eon
An indefinite and very long period of time
Unit of time equal to a billion years or more
Biomonomers
A small organic molecule that can chemically bond to other monomers to form a biopolymer
Biopolymers
A polymeric substances occuring in living organisms made up of biomonomers
ie. protein, cellulose, DNA
Carbon
Element that has two main forms (diamond and graphite), impure form is charcoal
Forms organic compounds
In many inorganic compounds as well
Central Dogma
Main thesis of molecular inheritance
DNA -> RNA -> protein
Chemical Evolution
The changes and transformation of chemical elements, compounds and molecules
Cohesion
Intermolecular attraction that forms a united whole
Crystal Lattice of Water
Geometric arrangment of points in space at which atoms, molecules or ions of a crystal occur
Three dimensional
When water freezes it forms a clathrate structure
Emergence
The process of coming into being, becoming exposed or important or prominent
Evaporation
The process of being vapour, liquid to gas
(Vaporization)
Geological TIme Scale
Chronologic measurement relating stratigraphy (branch of geology concerned with order and position of historical layers of rock) to time
Green House Gases
Gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range
ie. Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Sulfur hexafluoirde, Chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs)
Hadean Eon
Earliest eon in the history of the Earth from the first accretion of planetary materials
(4600 - 3800 Ma)
Building phase, formation of the solar system, ends with the origin of life
Hydrogen Bond
A chemical bond with a hydrogen atom that is attracted to an electronegative atom
ie. nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine
Hydrophilic
Has a tendency to mix with, dissolve in or be wetted by water
“Water loving”
Hydrophobic
Repels or fails to mix with water
“Phobia” - does not like water
Hydrothermal Vents
An opening in the seafloor out of which heated and mineral rich water flows
Interstellar Organic Compounds
Interstellar Space Dust
Comes from dying stars as they slowly burn out or use up their fuel
Large clouds of this dust will collect in space
Micelles
An aggregation of molecules in a colloidal solution
Colloidal solution: homogeneous, noncrystalline susbtace consisting of large molecules of finely divided particles of one substance dispersed through a second substance, gelatinous consistency
ie. gels, sols, emulsions
Miller Experiment
Simulated hypothetical conditions thought at the time to be present on early Earth. It tested for occurence of chemical evolution
