Geologic History, Mass Extinctions, Fossils

Why can't we find the actual age of the Earth from its rocks?

• Because rocks are constantly being recycled, melted, and metamorphosed.

• Because the Earth is too old to measure accurately.

• Because rocks do not contain any age-related information.

• Because the age of rocks varies significantly across different regions.

What role do environmental changes play in extinction?

• Environmental changes can lead to the decline or extinction of species unable to adapt.

• Environmental changes have no impact on species survival.

• Environmental changes only affect plant life, not animals.

• Environmental changes always result in the growth of new species.

What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating of rocks?

• Relative dating determines the age of rocks based on their position in layers, while absolute dating provides a specific age using radiometric techniques.

• Relative dating provides a specific age using radiometric techniques, while absolute dating determines the age of rocks based on their position in layers.

• Relative dating and absolute dating are the same and provide the same information about rocks.

• Relative dating uses fossils to date rocks, while absolute dating uses the position of rocks in layers.

What is biological evolution?

• Biological evolution is the process through which species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.

• Biological evolution is the study of how organisms interact with their environment.

• Biological evolution refers to the changes in an organism's behavior over its lifetime.

• Biological evolution is the process of creating new species through artificial selection.

What is carbonization in fossilization?

• A process where organic material is completely destroyed by heat

• A fossilization process where organic material is reduced to carbon, forming a thin film of carbon on the rock.

• A method of preserving fossils in ice

• A technique used to create synthetic diamonds from coal

What is a major cause of mass extinctions?

• Environmental change affecting habitats and species survival.

• Overpopulation of species leading to resource depletion.

• Natural disasters such as meteor strikes and volcanic eruptions.

• Human activities such as pollution and deforestation.

What is a mass extinction event?

• A significant and rapid decrease in biodiversity on Earth, often caused by catastrophic environmental changes.

• A gradual increase in species diversity over millions of years.

• A temporary decline in the population of a single species due to seasonal changes.

• An event where a single species dominates an ecosystem, leading to the extinction of others.

What are fossils?

• Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, providing insight into past life forms and environments.

• Fossils are rocks formed from volcanic activity.

• Fossils are ancient tools used by early humans.

• Fossils are the remains of modern animals found in sedimentary layers.

What is the significance of the Cenozoic era?

• It marks the beginning of the age of reptiles.

• It is known as the age of mammals and is significant for the evolution of mammals and birds after the mass extinction that ended the Mesozoic.

• It is characterized by the dominance of amphibians.

• It signifies the end of the Ice Age.

True or False: Extinctions always occur very slowly.

• True

• False

• Extinctions are always gradual processes.

• Extinctions can only happen due to human activity.