Chapter 8: Fossils and Their Place in Time and Nature

Question 1

Thomas Jefferson’s collection of fossils

Answer 1

Megalonyx Jeffersonii Fossil Claws

Question 2

Strata

Answer 2

layers of rock, representing various periods of deposition

Question 3

Principle of Faunal Succession

Answer 3

succession of organisms in strata represent successive geological epochs with their characteristic or index fossil (certain layers distinguish certain kinds of fossils)

Question 4

Types of micro fossils

Answer 4

microbial, plant and animal eukaryotic bacteria, pollen

Question 5

Types of macro fossils

Answer 5

ammonite, trilobite, fern, crab, soft shell turtle, fish, T-Rex, Eocene primate

Question 6

Fossils

Answer 6

remains of organisms turned to stone completely or partially through chemical replacement

Question 7

Paleontology

Answer 7

study of fossils

Question 8

taphonomy

Answer 8

study of how fossils are formed; study of deposition of plant/animal remains and environment affecting preservation

Question 9

Sedimentary Rock

Answer 9

formed by sedimentation of water and wind depositing tiny particles of rock, sand, and soil overtime

Question 10

Gradual Process

Answer 10

observed by Darwin that evolution is gradual, observed by Bown and Rose by looking at gradual evolution of teeth in Eocene primates

Question 11

Punctuated Equilibrium

Answer 11

observed by Eldredge and Jay- long periods of stasis in exoskeletons of invertebrates, such as trilobites, and then revolutionary rapid change

Question 12

Order of time scales

Answer 12

Eons (I), Era (A), Periods (a), Epochs (i)

Question 13

What time period do we live in?

Answer 13

IV: Phanerozoic Eon
C: Cenozoic Era
b: Quaternary Period
iii: Anthropocene Epoch

Question 14

Nicolaus Steno

Answer 14

1639-1686: danish scholar who discovered geologic pre-history of Earth and its life

Question 15

Steno’s Law of Superposition

Answer 15

older strata under, younger above; cross cutting younger still

Question 16

Relative Dating

Answer 16

relative order of events without assigning calendrical dates

Question 17

Stratigraphic Correlation

Answer 17

matching strata from different sites using index fossils, chemical compositions, physical features, interposing datable layers, give us geochronology in calendrical tiem

Question 18

Chemical Dating

Answer 18

relative method based on predictable chemical changes over time

Question 19

Fluorine (relative) Dating

Answer 19

Bones accumulate fluorine bearing soils at a steady rate

Question 20

Biostrategic (faunal and floral) Dating

Answer 20

Relative method based on first/lasts appearances and associations

Question 21

Index fossils

Answer 21

common distinctive associated with relative age of particular strata

Question 22

Cultural Dating

Answer 22

relative method based on time spans of material culture remains

Question 23

manuport

Answer 23

object carried around from original context for some reason like the Makapansqat cobble/pebble

Question 24

Dendrochronology

Answer 24

chronometric dating method using annual tree-ring counts, observed by AE Douglas

Question 25

Isotopes used in Radiometric Dating

Answer 25

``` C-N U-Pb K-Ar Ar-Ar U-Pb ```

Question 26

Radiocarbon Dating

Answer 26

for much younger ages, organism stop intake of carbon 14 at death, so can date until their death

Question 27

Paleomagnetic Dating

Answer 27

looking at magnetic poles and polarity reversals which is resemble in polarized orientation in sedimentary rock

Question 28

Amino Acid Dating

Answer 28

absolute method for organic remains, looking at the L-isomes and the D-isomes, called racemization

Question 29

Electron Spin Resonance Dating

Answer 29

measures radioisotopic concentrations in fossil bones, teeth compared to burial environments

Question 30

Thermoluminescence Dating

Answer 30

method based on amount of sun's energy trapped in sediment, stone, and pottery

Question 31

Genetic Dating

Answer 31

Looking at evolutionary divergences, where there was a change in genes, allowing you to look back at specific events

Question 32

Foraminifera

Answer 32

Looking ancient environments with micro fossils

Question 33

C3 Photosynthesis

Answer 33

wet wooded plants, wheat, sugar beets, peas, hardwood trees | 3 Cs avoid Carbon 13 and incorporate Carbon 12

Question 34

C4 Photosynthesis

Answer 34

grassland plants, corn, sugarcane, succulents | 4 Cs high in Carbon 13

Question 35

Paleosols

Answer 35

old soil