Biology: How Life Works Unit 4: History of Earth & Human Society

Flashcards based on the key concepts covered in the unit on the history of Earth and Human Society in Biology.

Mass Extinction Events

Occurrences throughout Earth's history that drastically reduce biodiversity.

Anthropocene

The current geological epoch viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

Great Oxygenation Event

A significant increase in atmospheric oxygen levels due to the photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria.

Endosymbiosis

The process by which a unicellular organism engulfs another cell, leading to the evolution of complex cells such as eukaryotes.

Cambrian Explosion

A period approximately 541 to 485 million years ago during which a rapid diversification of life forms occurred in the oceans.

Ediacaran Period

The period in geological history dated around 565 million years ago characterized by the earliest macroscopic fossil evidence of animals.

Trophic Cascade

An ecological phenomenon triggered by the removal or addition of top predators that results in changes in ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the non-living environment to living organisms and back.

Ecological Arm's Race

The evolutionary struggle between competing sets of adaptations, as seen in predator-prey relationships.

Functional Diversity

The range and value of traits shown by species in a given ecosystem, contributing to ecological stability.