Overview
Paleontology plays a crucial role in understanding the geological evolution of Earth by studying fossils, which are the remnants of ancient life. Through the fossil record, scientists can piece together the history of life, including how species have evolved and adapted to changing environments over...
Key Terms
Example: Dinosaur bones are fossils that provide insight into prehistoric life.
Example: The Mesozoic Era is part of the geological time scale.
Example: The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
Example: Darwin's finches are a classic example of natural selection in action.
Example: The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Example: Paleobiology helps us understand how ancient ecosystems functioned.