Jan test Flashcards
What was the dominant life-form during the Paleozoic Era?
Marine invertebrates
During what period did life first appear on land and what type of life was it?
Silurian, plants
During what period were coal-forming environments (shallow, freshwater)
abundant?
Carboniferous
What was responsible for the largest mass extinction event (Permian) in
Geologic history?
Large-scale volcanism
Where can evidence of this mass extinction event be found? (Paleozoic extinction)
Siberia (Traps)
. What was the dominant life-form during the Mesozoic Era?
Large reptiles (dinosaurs)
How do we know that the entire planet was tropical during this time?
Tropical plant fossils in Antarctica (Glossopteris)
What is the difference between a sauropod and a theropod?
4 legged herbivore vs 2 legged carnivore
Why do we think the dinosaurs grew so large?
Evolutionary advantage in a predator, prey world
Where can evidence of the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction event be found?
Yucatan Peninsula
What was the dominant life-form during the Cenozoic Era?
Mammals
How were climates changing during this time?
Cooling
Why do we think the ice-age mammals grew so large?
To retain body heat
Why do we think the ice-age mammals went extinct?
Hunting by humans
What new environment led to the development of modern human ancestors?
Grasslands
