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| "seed vessel" or "enclosed seed" |
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| Large super continent in which all of the current continents were meshed into one |
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| seas that divide countries. non were present on pangaea |
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| Mammal like reptile that was first to evolve into real mammal |
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| allowed animals such as the therapsid to eat and breath at the same time |
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| major bone in lower jaw of vertebrates. The defining characteristic of mammals is that they have only this bone compromising the lower jaw |
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| Group of diapsid reptiles that gave rise to the dinosaurs, specifically the saurischia; some were bipedal and lightly built. |
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| oldest known fossil bird. |
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| group of extinct, carnivorous marine reptiles that were dolhipn like or porpoise like in aspect. |
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| has external tail. Had arms the same lengh as legs. Arboreal quadruped. In its own category may be related to apes or monkeys and is very primitive. |
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| herbivorous mammals that have hoofed feet |
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| Early genus in the family hominidae that includes man (Homo); the ancestral genus to Homo; first appeared approximately 4.4 to 4.2 mya. |
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| popular name for the two dominant groups of diapsid reptiles of the Mesozoic that include the predators herbivores of the Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystem. |
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| fauna are animals and flora are plants |
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| Ectothermy are oganisms that relies on the external environment for internal body warmth and endothermy are organisms that rely on their food consumption to keep them warm and energized. |
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| arboreal and cursorial theories of flight |
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| Arboreal or tree down is the theory that dinosaurs developed the ability to fly from jumping from tree to tree. Cursorial or ground up theory is that dinosaurs started to run on the ground chasing their prey then eventually developed lift. |
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| saurischia and ornithischia |
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| Saurischia are lizard hipped structures and ornithischia are bird-hipped structures. |
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| Theropods are large bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs. Sauropods were giant quadrupedal dinosaurs that evolved from a bipedal form. |
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| gymnosperm and angiosperm |
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| Gymnosperms are seed that are unprotected while Angiosperms are seeds that are protected by something. |
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| Stegosaur, ankylosaur, and ceratopsian |
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| Stagosaurs are dinosaurs that have 2 rows of large bony scutes along the back and a long bony spine on the end of the tail. Ankylosaurs are a group of ornithischian dinosaurs with heavy bony plates on the upper surface of the body and a large bony knob at the end of the tail. Ceratopsians are a group of dinosaurs, including triceratops, characterized by a frill and a parrotlike beak; also had bony horns on the head. |
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| Monotreme, marsupial, and placental |
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| Monotremes are egg-laying mammals for which there is virtually no fossil record. Includes the duck billed platypus. Marsupials are pouches mammals this included kangaroos. Placental develop their young in the mothers body. The young are born in a immature state and require nurturing. |
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| Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that became extinct while birds are still living today. The bone structure between the two is also different. |
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| artiodactyl and perissodactyl |
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| Artiodactyls even toed herbivorous hoofed mammals with an axis down the foot between the third and fourth digits. Perissodactyls are odd toed hoofed mammals, generally with one or three functional toes; included the horse, tapir, rhinoceros, and others. |
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| australopithecus and homo |
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| Australopithecus is an early genus in the family hominidae. Ancestral genus to Homo. Homo is the genus that includes humans. They also had a larger brain and could use tools. |
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| mesezoic and cenezoic periods in order |
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| Triassic, Jurassic, cretaceous, Paleogene, neogene |
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| specific example of convergent evolution |
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| An example of convergent evolution would be the development of wings in animals from reptiles to mammals. Another example is rugosian corals. |
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| What is the functional significance of the temporal openings in synapsid and diapsid reptiles |
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| The temporal openings accommodated bulging jaw muscles. |
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| What is the major evolutionary significance of the therapsid reptiles? What evidence suggests that advanced therapsids were endothermic? With regard to endothermy, what is the primary function of fur in mammals? |
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| Therapsids were the first reptiles that began to develop mammal like qualities. They also developed a bony plate along the back which may have suggested that they were becoming endothermic because the bony plate would help regulate body temperature. When an animal has fur as a mammal it is general used to keep them warm during cooler climates. It helps keep their body temperature warm as endothermic animals. |
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| Explain the significance of the secondary palate in mammals and how it is related to endothermy. What are the costs and advantages of endothermy? |
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| Therapsids were the first reptiles that began to develop mammal like qualities. They also developed a secondary palate that helped them breathe and eat at the same time. This is especially beneficial for endothermic animals because it allows them to eat more. When an animal has fur as a mammal it is general used to keep them warm during cooler climates. It helps keep their body temperature warm as endothermic animals. |
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| Distinguish between typical reptiles and typical mammals with regard to each of the following: |
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A. Body Covering-
Reptiles- Scaly skin
Mammals-
B. Body Temperature-
Reptiles- Exothermic (Cool Blooded)
Mammals- Endothermic (Warm Blooded)
C. Mode of reproduction-
Reptiles- Reptiles laid eggs
Mammals- could have either laid eggs, been marsupials, or placentals
D. Dentition-
Reptiles- Sharp saw like teeth
Mammals-
E. Stance-
Reptiles- Consisted of both Bipedal and Quadrupedal
Mammals- Consisted of both Bipedal and Quadrupedal
F. Number of Bones in Lower Jaw-
G. Number of bones in ear- |
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| Mammals and dinosaurs first appear in which period of geologic time? What was the general nature of the climate in the interior of Pangaea in the Triassic Period? What advantages might dinosaurs have had over mammals under these conditions? |
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| Mammals and Dinosaurs first appear in the Mesezoic period. The Climate of the interior of Pangaea had no epicontinental seas, which made the climate more errid. Pangea also stood high above sea level. With the air being drier dinosaurs would be able to survive because they do not need as much water as mammals do. |
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| What is the evolutionary significance of the thecodont reptiles? |
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| Thecodonts gave rise to the dinosaurs. They were the first animals to begin to walk on 2 legs and become bipedal. |
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| In what ways do dinosaurs differ from other reptiles? |
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| Dinosaurs differ from typical reptile because dinosaurs are bipedal while most reptiles are quadrepedal. Dinosaurs are also larger in size. |
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| Which period is the "age of dinosaurs?" the "age of mammals?" The "age of angiosperms?" |
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| The paleogene period is the “age of mammals and Angiosperms” while the “age of Dinoasuars” was probably the Mesezoic. |
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| In what ways do theropods differ from other dinosaurs? |
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| Theropods were the only carnivorous dinosaurs of the Jurassic. Other Dinosaurs were herbivores. |
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| In what way do theropods differ from other dinosaurs? |
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| Theropods were the only carnivorous dinosaurs of the Jurassic. Other Dinosaurs were herbivores. |
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| What is the functionary significance of the elongated fourth digit on the hand of the pterosaurs? |
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| The purpose of the elongated 4th digit on the hand of the pterosaur was that it help support most of the weight of the animal. |
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| Which group of late jurassic dinosaurs included the largest land animals of all time? |
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| Paraceratherium were the largest land mammals that ever lived. They were long legged rhinos. They were from the group paraceratherium. |
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| Describe three primitive (reptilian) traits of Archaeopteryx. what features indicate the Archaeopteryx was a bird? WHen did Archaeopteryx live? |
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| Archaeopteryx had reptilian teeth, had a tail, and had claws at the end of its wings. Evidence that archaeopteryx could fly would be that it had a symmetrical feathers which help produce lift. Archaeopteryx is about 140 Million years old and began in the late Jurassic period. |
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| If birds evolved from dinosaurs, from which group of dinosaurs did they evolve? What is a major objection to a dinosaurian origin for birds? |
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| Birds may have originated from the type of dinosaur known as Deinonychus (Raptor). |
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| What major events occured during the cretaceous period? Why did sea level rise during the cretaceous? What was the general nature of the climate? What happened to sea level at the end of the period. |
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| Explain the significance of the name cretaceous? Why did chalk deposition cease at the end of the period? |
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| The name Cretaceous literal means “chalk.” During the Cretaceous Period chalk deposition was relatively high but towards the end of the period there was a great mass extinction which killed off many animals. Chalk producing plankton were among the extinct which means less chalk was produced. |
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| What advantages do angiosperms have over gymnosperms? When do angiosperms first appear? |
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| Angiopserms have many advantages over gymnosperms. Since amniosperms are protected by a shell or an ambryotic sack they have better protection from predators and the harsh environment. Gymnosperm do not have this protective covering so they are more easily destroyed. Angiosperms first appear in the cretaceous period. |
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| When do marsupial and placental mammals first appear? What are the insectivora? What is their evolutionary significance? |
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| Marsupial and Placental first appear in the Cretaceous period. Insectivora was a group of insect-eating primitive placental mammals that are first found as fossils in the Cretaceous rocks; includes moles and shrews. They were the first of the placentals. |
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| What major biotic event marks the boundary between the mesozoic and cenozoic eras? What major groups of animals became extinct at the end of the cretaceous? |
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| The extinction of dinosaurs causes by the K/T event occurred between the Mesezoic and the Cenezoic eras. At the end of the cretaceous period chalk-producing plankton, belemnoids, ammonoids, rudist bivalves, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs all became extinct. |
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| Describe 3 lines of evidence in support of the asteroid (extraterrestrial) impact hypothesis for the mass extinction at the end of the cretaceous period? |
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| Three pieces of evidence of the K/T event are: 1.) There was an unusually high amount of iridium at the earth’s surface. High concentrations of iridium were found in the boundary clay in sites all over the world, indicating a global event. 2.) Mineral quarts called shocked quarts were found in boundary sediments. Shocked quarts has only been observed in meteor craters and nuclear weapon test sites. 3.) There is a large crater that is the appropriate age. |
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| What are the postulated consequences of a large asteroid impact? In what ways might a large impact have contributed to the extinctions at the end of the cretaceous? |
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| One postulated consequence of a large meteor impact is that the amount of dust that would be in the atmosphere would block out the sun for a long time which would prevent photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis there would not be enough plants for the herbivores to eat so they would die out. Which means that there would not be enough animals for the carnivores to eat. |
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| What major physical events, in addtion to an asteroid impact, occured near the end of the cretaceous and may have contributed to the mass extinction? In what ways might marine regression have contributed to the extinctions? |
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| Volcanism was occurring at the end of the cretaceous, which could have helped the mass extinction. Also there was a global regression of the seas. This meant more land and fewer resources. |
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| Distinguish among the mammalian faunas of the Mesozoic Era, the Paleogene, Period, and the Neogene Period. Mention a few important groups in the Paleogene and a few important groups in the Neogene. |
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| During the Mesozoic era the distinguishing factor for mammals is their lower jaw. It is composed of a single bone, the dentrary. They also have a newly constructed ear. During the Paleogene period the dominant group were the insectivores. Creodonts were also present in the paleogene. Credonts were small carnivorous animals. They had teeth that became blade like for sawing meat. During the Neogene there was an abundance of dog like or wolf like carnivores. Also hoofed mammals came about in the Neogene. |
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| Describe the changes in global climate during the cenezoic era. what limatic factors were responsible for the spread of grassland in the Neogene Period? Describe two evolutionary responses among mammals to the spread of grasslands. Describe two ways in which grasses are resistant to heavy grazing mammals. |
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| During the Cenozoic era the climate varied. At first it was subtropical and the rainfall averaged 70 – 80 inches a year. And it did not get very cold. Rainfall began to decrease. Grasslands started to form because of the shadow of the Rockies put rainfall on that certain area. Grasses are resistant to heavy grazing because the ground that it grows from is hard and the grass is course, which wears down animals teeth. |
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| Name two groups of living perissodactyls. Two groups of living artiodactyls. When were perissodactyls most diverse? Artiodactyls? |
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| Two groups of living perissodactyls (odd toed) are rhinos, horses, or tapers. Two groups of living artiodactyls (even toed) are pigs, hippos, and giraffes. Perrissodactyls were most diverse in the paleogene. Artiodactyls were most diverse in the neogene. |
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| What continent was the center of evolution for horses? Describe three evolutionary trends among horses. |
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| The center of evolution for horses was north America. Horses developed a longer face, necks, and bodies to help protect them from predators and help them bend down to eat grass. They also developed a single strong toe for running on the hard grasslands. Finally they developed better teeth. The teeth became longer and more ridged. The ridges were used for grinding the coarse grass. |
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| What are the proboscideans? Describe two evolutionary trends among proboscideans. Distinguish between mastodonts and mammoths. |
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| Proboscideans is the order of mammals that includes elephants, mammoths, and mastodons. Evolutionary trends of prboscideans include that they were semi aquatic, they had a modified upper lip (trunk), they had tusks, they used these tusks to scoop up water and plants, they had a large skull and a short muscular neck. One distinguishing characteristic between the mastodont and the mammoth is their teeth. Mastadonts have short, straight, tusks, and each jaw contains two or three rather small molar teeth. These teeth have a few rounded cone-shaped crests and are suitable for browsing on rather soft vegetation. Mammoth has highly elongated and strongly curved tusks and a single very large molar tooth in each half of each jaw. These molars were slowly replaced during life, but there was only one single functional molar at any one time. |
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| What was the cenozoic mammalian fauna of Australia different from those on other continents? What major group of mammals inhabited Australia? What evolutionary phenomenon do they show with placental mammals on other continents? |
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| Mammals from Australia were different then on other continents because they were monotremes. Which means they were egg laying mammals. Since they were the only monotremes on the planet animals that lived outside of Australia were either placental mammals or marsupials. Monotremes had a single opening for reproduction and expository. While placental mammals had at least 2 holes. |
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| Relate the evolution of terrestrial animals to the prliferation of angiosperms during the Cenozoic era. |
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| Since angiosperms were becoming more and more abundant it ment more and more plants and vegetation. With more vegetation terrestrial mammals were able to become more abundant. Since herbivores were becoming more abundant, carnivores were able to become more abundant as well. |
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| Describe the major traits of primates that evolved as adaptations to an arboreal way of life. WHen do primates first appear in the fossil record? What is the nature of the earliest primates? |
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| there were four major traits of primates. 1.) Grasping hands that have nails instead of claws and have opposable thumbs, which helped to move about in trees. 2.) They developed stereovision which meant that their eyes moved further forward on their head. This gave them a better field of vision, which allows for better depth perception. 3.) Relatively large brains. Primates are social animals. This also gave them better hand eye coordination. 4.) Prolonged caretaking of offspring. Fewer offspring. Nurtured by parents and sometimes other member of the group. Prolonged period of learning. Primates first appear in the fossil record mid paleogene. |
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| What is the evolutionary significance of australopithecus? Why is it assigned to the family hominidae? Australopithecus exhibits what primitive traits? |
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| Australopithecus was the first bipedal primate. It is relatively close to human traits and is assigned to the family hominidae. They had the primitive traits of cranial capacity still the same as apes. And facial structure is still elongated. |
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| Describe the evolutionary trends in the history of hominids. |
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| a few evolutionary trends in hominids are, 1.) erect bipedalism. 2.) reduction in body hair. 3.) reduction in tooth size. 4.) increase in body size 5.) development of tools and use of fire. 6.) development of human language. |
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| In what ways are members of the genus Homo advanced over members of the genus Australopithecus? |
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| Homo is more advanced Australopithecus because the genus homo has larger brains and has the ability to use tools. |
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| What route did humans initially enter North America? When? |
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| Humans entered north America on a glacial pass into Alaska from Asia. The glacial path is called bering straight. This occurred during the cenezoic era. |
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| Comment upon the extintions of large mammals in North America near the last ice age. Indicate a few of the large mammals that died out. What caused these extinctions? |
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| Close to the end of the last ice age certain animals died out in North America. Mastodons and woolly mammoths became extinct, so did elephants, camels, horses, large beavers, large ground sloth, giant bison. It was odd that these animals died out because they had withstood many other climate changes and survived. It is believed that humans selected the larger animals to kill for food and warmth and this lead to the demise of the large mammals. |
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| Identify homo erectus and homo sapiens |
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| Homo erectus and homo sapiens differ in many ways. Homo sapiens had larger brains but were slightly shorter. Homo sapiens include the modern humans today. |
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| What were the neanderthals? Why did they disappear? |
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| Neanderthals were a primitive hominoid that were bound to cooler climates. They had shorter bodies and were stronger. They had stronger bones and larger noses. It is believed that they may have died out through competition with the homo sapiens. Which may have led to their demise. Also the climate change may have affected their lifestyle. |
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| What continent is known as the cradle of humanity? Why? |
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| Africa is referred to as the cradle of humanity because it is where humans first appeared. They started in Africa and migrated elsewhere. |
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| Explain the energy-stability-area theory of biodiversity. |
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| The energy-stability-area theory of biodeiversity states that the more solar energy an area receives the greater the diversity. This would increase bio reproductiveness. Also the more stable a climate the more diverse. |
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| In what ways have humans caused the extinctions of other species? what is the major way in which humans are causing the extinction of other species today? |
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| Humans have caused the extinction of other species by killing them for food or clothing or other resources. They are killing other species today by cutting down rainforests and killing what they say are meaningless animals. The truth is that every animal needs something from another animal. So if we kill one animal off then another animal will die from not having that animal and so and so forth. |
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| identify the difference between gracile and robust australopithecus. |
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| Gracile Australopithecus were shorter and more slender then Robust Australopithecus. Robust had a slightly larger brain capacity. |
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