Untitled Flashcards Set

What are fossil strata?

Fossil strata are layers of sedimentary rock that contain fossils, formed by the accumulation of sediment over long periods of time.

What mechanisms do geologists suggest formed fossil strata?

Sediment builds up layer by layer over long periods of time, trapping fossils in the layers.

How does radiometric dating work?

Radiometric dating allows scientists to estimate the age of fossil layers by measuring the remaining isotopes and their decay.

What is the half-life of a radioactive element?

The half-life is the time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay, which is crucial for determining the age of fossil layers.

What does the term 'Cambrian Explosion' refer to?

The Cambrian Explosion refers to an event 530 million years ago when many new animal forms appeared in the fossil record.

What is the concept of 'Punctuated Equilibrium'?

Punctuated Equilibrium is the idea that evolution occurs rapidly during short periods, followed by long periods of stability.

How did Darwin's five premises shape his theory of evolution?

Darwin's premises include overpopulation, resource limitation, population stability, variation of traits, and heritability of traits, supporting natural selection.

What is an example of adaptive radiation illustrated by Darwin's finches?

Darwin's finches show adaptive radiation as different species adapted their beaks to the specific conditions of their respective islands.

What is genetic homology?

Genetic homology refers to similarities in DNA or amino acid sequences among organisms due to a common ancestor.

What is anatomical homology?

Anatomical homology refers to similarities in anatomical structures among species inherited from a common ancestor.

What is developmental homology?

Developmental homology refers to similarities in embryonic development among different species that share a common ancestor.

What is the ecological species concept?

The ecological species concept defines species based on their ecological niche and interactions with their environment.

What is a limitation of the ecological species concept?

A limitation is the difficulty in understanding and defining the ecological niche of a species.

What is the morphological species concept?

The morphological species concept characterizes species based on physical structures and body shapes.

What is a limitation of the morphological species concept?

A limitation is determining how many traits to analyze and how much variation is permitted among species.