Life Evolution (Phanerozoic - Quatnernary)

Question 1

What allowed life to evolve from the Phanerozoic eon onwards?

Answer 1

3rd Oxygen rise

Question 2

What allowed the 3rd Oxygen rise?

Answer 2

Increased lichen/algae weathering > increased biomass and oxygen production > improved soil fertility > improved next generation biosphere > increased oxygen. Overall oxygen and biosphere productivity positive feedback

Question 3

580-540Ma

Answer 3

Ediacaran Biota - first animals

Question 4

540-500Ma

Answer 4

Cambrian exchange - brains and eyes emerge

Question 5

Pre-plant life

Answer 5

Arthropod tracks and freshwater algae

Question 6

First land plants names

Answer 6

Bryophytes (liverworts, hornworts and mosses)

Question 7

475Ma & what are they?

Answer 7

Cryptospores - first evidence for land plants, onl spores

Question 8

460Ma & what are they?

Answer 8

Bryophyte Remains - first land plant remains

Question 9

445Ma & what are they?

Answer 9

Trilete spores - indicated that plants less dependant upon moist habitats

Question 10

425Ma & what are they?

Answer 10

1st Vascular plants - unlike bryophytes they can maintain internal water pressure

Question 11

420Ma & what are they?

Answer 11

Clubmosses - effective photosynthesising vascular plants

Question 12

420-370Ma & what are they?

Answer 12

Prototaxite fossils - possibly giant fungi

Question 13

410Ma & what is it?

Answer 13

Rhynie Chert Ecosystem - plant, fungi, insect interactions

Question 14

400Ma?

Answer 14

First charcoal record - fires

Question 15

385Ma?

Answer 15

Wattieza trees - first trees?

Question 16

375Ma?

Answer 16

Archaeopteris - second trees

Question 17

250Ma?

Answer 17

End Permian Extinction

Question 18

66Ma?

Answer 18

End Cretaceous extinction

Question 19

33Ma?

Answer 19

First desert grasslands

Question 20

17Ma?

Answer 20

First ungulate grasses

Question 21

7Ma?

Answer 21

First C4 grasses