Paleontology and Fossils

Flashcards covering key concepts, terminology, and definitions related to paleontology and the study of fossils.

Catastrophism

A theory that explains geological changes as the result of sudden, short-term events, such as volcanoes and floods.

Paleontology

The scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.

Archaeopteryx

A transitional fossil from the Late Jurassic period that provides evidence for the evolution of birds from dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Renaissance

A period in the late 20th century when interest and research in dinosaurs increased significantly, leading to new discoveries and theories.

Fossil

The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form.

Gideon Mantell

A notable paleontologist who named the dinosaur Iguanodon and published important monographs on dinosaur discoveries.

Mary Anning

A pioneering fossil collector and paleontologist known for her discoveries of marine reptiles and complete skeletons.

Megalosaurus

The first dinosaur to be scientifically named, by William Buckland in 1824.

Theropods

A diverse group of bipedal dinosaurs that includes modern birds as their descendants.

Hypothesis vs. Theory

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observation, while a theory is a tested and validated explanation supported by a significant body of evidence.

Fossilized Tracks

Preserved footprints or impressions left by dinosaurs that provide insights into their behavior and posture.

Thrust for Fame

The competitive motivation among paleontologists in the late 1800s that sometimes resulted in sloppy research.

Feathered Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs that possessed feathers, significant for understanding the evolution of birds.

Coelophysis

An early dinosaur species known for mass burials found in New Mexico.

Dinosaurs

A diverse group of reptiles that dominated terrestrial ecosystems for over 160 million years.

Paleobiology

The study of ancient life, incorporating paleontology and biology to understand past organisms and ecosystems.