Paleobiosphere Unit

Front

What is dendrochronology?

Back

Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings to determine the age of trees and past climate conditions. It does not refer to the emission of radioactive particles.

Front

What represents the greatest expanses of time in geological time scale?

Back

Eons represent the greatest expanses of time in the geological time scale.

Front

What is an example of a fossil with altered hard parts?

Back

Petrified wood is an example of a fossil with altered hard parts.

Front

What does the fossil record suggest about species of animals and plants that lived on Earth in the past?

Back

The fossil record suggests that most species of animals and plants that lived on Earth in the past became extinct.

Front

What is amber in terms of fossil formation?

Back

Amber is a fossil formation that occurs when an insect gets trapped in sticky tree sap, which then hardens and preserves the organism.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, typically found in sedimentary rock.

Front

What is the difference between a cast and a mold fossil?

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A mold fossil is an impression of an organism left in sediment, while a cast fossil is formed when minerals fill in the mold and create a replica.

Front

What is the significance of the Cambrian period in the fossil record?

Back

The Cambrian period is significant because it marks a time when most major groups of animals first appeared in the fossil record.

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What is the process of petrification?

Back

Petrification is the process by which organic material becomes fossilized through the replacement of its original material with minerals.

Front

What are eons, eras, periods, and epochs?

Back

Eons are the largest divisions of geological time, followed by eras, periods, and epochs, which are progressively smaller time frames.