History of Life

Question 1

Three Important Fossil Beds (in chronological order)

Answer 1

1. Doushanto Fossils
2. Edicaran
3. Burgess Shales

Question 2

Doushanto Fossils

Answer 2

microfossils from China, precambrian
cyanobacteria, sponges, algae, animal embryos

Question 3

Edicaran Fossils

Answer 3

Edicara Hills, Precambrian
Australia
small-soft bodied animals

Question 4

Burgess Shales

Answer 4

Cambrian Period
British Columbia
all modern animal phyla and more
Cambrian Explosion
ex. Hallucigenia

Question 5

Chancelloria

Answer 5

genus of early animals known from the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale
first discovered by CD Walcott

Question 6

Big Events in the Evolution of Vertebrates

Answer 6

Cranium and backbone
Jaws
Lungs
Limbs
Hearing (internal ears)
Dessication Resistant Skin
Internal Fertilization
Shelled Eggs
Flight
Endothermy (Warm-Blooded)

Question 7

gradualism

Answer 7

the hypothesis that evolution proceeds mostly by the accumulation of gradual changes

Question 8

punctuated equilibrium

Answer 8

the hypothesis that evolution is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long episodes of little or no change

Question 9

speciation

Answer 9

the formation of new and distant species in the course of evolution

Question 10

Giant Fungi/Prototaxites

Answer 10

genus of terrestrial fossil fungi dating from the Middle Ordovician to Late Devonian (~470 to 360 million years ago)

Question 11

Biodiversity Hotspots

Answer 11

significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human habitation

Question 12

Protozoa

Answer 12

single-celled organisms

Question 13

metazoa

Answer 13

organisms within the animal kingdom

Question 14

Exaptation

Answer 14

a trait, feature, or structure that undergoes a shift in its function during evolution
ex. bird feathers evolved originally for temperature regulation but later were adapted for flight