HL Geologic Time Mastery Check

Front

What is the half-life of a radioactive element?

Back

The time it takes for half of the atoms to decay.

Front

What do scientists study to learn about the history of life and past environments on Earth?

Back

Fossil record.

Front

In which layer did species C come into existence?

Back

Layer 2 - Because that is the layer it is first seen.

Front

What is NOT a name of one of the three ERAs on the Geologic Time Scale?

Back

Jurassic.

Front

How has life evolved starting with the oldest fossils?

Back

Life started in the ocean then slowly evolved through natural selection to life on land. Fish evolved first, then reptiles, then mammals and finally birds.

Front

What is the Geologic Time Scale?

Back

A system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time.

Front

What are the three main ERAs of the Geologic Time Scale?

Back

Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

The preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism.

Front

What does the term 'extinction' mean?

Back

The end of an organism or a group of organisms, typically due to environmental changes.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.