Paleontology and Early Life Forms

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to paleontological concepts and early life forms, aiding in the understanding of the history of life on Earth.

Ediacaran fauna

The diverse and unique animals that dominated the oceans from approximately 575 to 540 million years ago.

Burgess Shale fauna

Fossil assemblage from the Cambrian period (505-510 mya) known for exceptional preservation of soft-bodied organisms.

Lagerstätten

Sites of exceptional fossil preservation, including soft parts of organisms.

Radiometric dating

Method used to estimate the age of rocks and fossils based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Stromatolite

Layered structures formed by the activities of microbial mats, particularly cyanobacteria, often found in ancient rocks.

Biomarkers

Organic molecules that provide evidence of past life and biological processes in geological samples.

Multicellular eukaryotes

Organisms composed of more than one eukaryotic cell, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Cambrian explosion

A rapid expansion of life forms and diversity occurring approximately 541 million years ago.

Fossil record

Historical sequence of life forms preserved in sedimentary rocks, providing information about the history of life.

Eukarya

Domain that includes all eukaryotic organisms, such as animals, plants, fungi, and protists.