Biology and Earth Science Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts in biology and Earth science, focusing on the history of life, evolutionary processes, and ecological dynamics.

Hadeon Eon

The time period when Earth was formed, characterized by the presence of liquid water and development of the first life forms.

Continental Plates

Large landmasses that have shifted and formed through geological processes, contributing to Earth's structure.

Heavy Bombardment

A period of intense meteoric impacts that shaped the early surface of the Earth.

Photosynthesis

The process by which cyanobacteria produce oxygen, significantly altering Earth's biochemistry.

End-Permian Extinction

The largest mass extinction event in Earth's history, which drastically reduced biodiversity.

Hadley Cells

Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns that influence climate and precipitation around the equator.

Natural Selection

The process by which the most adapted individuals reproduce more effectively, influencing evolution.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.

Plesiomorphy

An ancestral trait shared by a group of organisms, indicating common ancestry.

Convergent Evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in different species due to adaptations to similar environments.