The History of Life

The video explores Earth's history, estimated to be 4.6 billion years old, through fossils and rock layers. It explains dating methods, including relative and absolute dating, and introduces the geologic time scale, dividing Earth's history into supereons, eons, eras, periods, and epochs. Key eras discussed include the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic, highlighting significant evolutionary milestones such as the emergence of life, the age of dinosaurs, and the rise of mammals.

What is the primary difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

• Absolute dating compares the age of two fossils.

• Relative dating estimates the exact age of fossils.

• Relative dating determines the age of a fossil in relation to another.

• Absolute dating cannot determine the exact age of a fossil.

Which of the following is NOT a unit of the geologic time scale?

• Supereon

• Era

• Decade

• Epoch

During which era did life first appear on Earth?

• Cenozoic

• Mesozoic

• Paleozoic

• Precambrian

What significant event marks the beginning of the Cenozoic era?

• The first appearance of birds

• The extinction of dinosaurs

• The rise of marine invertebrates

• The formation of Earth's oceans

Which era is known as the Age of Reptiles?

• Paleozoic

• Precambrian

• Cenozoic

• Mesozoic