So about the fossil record...
The fossil record can be used as evidence for evolution as it provides the dimension of time to the study of life. Very importantly, it shows the changes of life through sedimentary rock layers. Successive rock layers have different groups of fossil species as buried plant and animal remains of the time become fossils through sediment layers getting compacted over them.
Major changes in fossils then defien the major boundaries between eras. See geological time scale.
Using geochronology, we can establish the times of rock formations. This is used in conjunction with the Principle of Superposition: rock beds must be older than the rock beds above it.
Geochronology has improved recently. Examples include using isotopic dating and half-lives to determine the age of rocks.
Major changes in fossils then defien the major boundaries between eras. See geological time scale.
Using geochronology, we can establish the times of rock formations. This is used in conjunction with the Principle of Superposition: rock beds must be older than the rock beds above it.
Geochronology has improved recently. Examples include using isotopic dating and half-lives to determine the age of rocks.
ThIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE...
Having found dinosaur fossils, using geochronology, we can determine from which era that dinosaur came from. When considering fossils, it is important to not only note the anatomy of the fossil itself but also:
- the quality of the specimen because it could explain living conditions and events at the time of death
- the discovery site. What other fossils have been found in that vicinity? What do we know about that region and its' past environment?
- other nearby fossils. What other species were alive at the time? What role might they have played?
CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING THINGS:
- Kingdom (ex. animal)
- Phylum/Division (ex. chordates = members have a nerve cord)
- Class (members share characteristics with members of same class only)
- Order
- Family
- Genus (members are very similar; probably had same common ancestor)
- Species (single type of animal)
Many dinosaur names have their basis in Greek and Latin words that describe their physical appearance. Here are some examples:
NAME
acantho avi(s) bactro brachy carno dactyl don(t) tyranno urus veloci |
LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN
Greek: akanthos (bear's foot) Latin Greek: baktron Greek Greek Greek: dactylos Greek: odon Greek: tyrannikos Latin: velocitas |
MEANING IN ENGLISH
spiny bird baton/club short flesh finger tooth tyrant tail speedy |