Historical Ecological Opportunities

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to historical ecological opportunities and evolutionary changes as discussed in the lecture.

Adaptive Radiation

A rapid period of evolutionary change where many new species arise and adapt to different ecological niches.

Macroevolution

The broad pattern of evolution above the species level.

Abiotic Synthesis

The process of forming small organic molecules without the influence of living organisms.

Great Oxygenation Event

A significant increase in atmospheric O2 levels caused by cyanobacteria around 2.4 billion years ago.

Mass Extinction

A widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth, often leading to adaptive radiations.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes, evolved around 1.8 billion years ago.

Cambrian Explosion

A period of rapid diversification of animals in stable, oxygenated seas during the Paleozoic Era.

Fossil Record

The historical sequence of life on Earth preserved in rock, which shows macroevolutionary changes.

Radiometric Dating

A method used to determine the age of fossils based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Protocells

Droplets with membranes that maintain a distinct internal chemistry, key to the origin of life.