Summary

• What is the study of fossils called?

  Palaeontology
• What is a fossil?

  A fossil is the preserved remains or signs such as footprints of an organism that lived in the past.
• What are the different types of fossils?

  • True form fossils
  • Moulds and impressions
  • Casts
  • Trace fossils
• How can fossils be dated?


  Fossils can be dated by relative dating or radiometric dating techniques.
• What reasoning do palaeontologists use to interpret fossils?

  Palaeontologists use deductive reasoning, or inference based on evidence, to interpret fossils.
• What does the geological timescale consist of?

  The geological timescale consists of periods of time divided according to the rock types and sorts of fossils found in each one.
• What are the main eras in geological time?

  • Paleozoic
  • Mesozoic
  • Cenozoic
• How long ago is it estimated that life on Earth first evolved?

  Life on Earth is estimated to have first evolved 3.5 billion years ago.
• What factors have influenced the evolution and distribution of species?

  Changes in the Earth's climate and geological events have influenced the evolution and distribution of species.
• What does fossil evidence from South Africa indicate?

  Fossil evidence from South Africa indicates that the Earth's climate has changed over time.
• What significant event occurred during the Cambrian explosion?

  During the Cambrian explosion, all the phyla that currently exist evolved in the sea.
• How have life forms changed over millions of years?


  Life forms have changed over millions of years to become present-day life forms.
• What is the significance of Archaeopteryx in the study of evolution?

  Archaeopteryx is a link between dinosaurs, which were reptiles, and birds.
• When did the first humans evolve and where?

  The first humans evolved in Africa about 2.3 million years ago.
• What has happened to humans over the last million years?

  Humans developed rapidly over the last million years into the modern human form that exists today.
• What are mass extinctions?


  Mass extinctions occur when many species become extinct in a short period of time.
• How many mass extinctions have there been?

  There have been five mass extinctions.
• When did the largest mass extinction occur?

  The largest mass extinction occurred 250 million years ago.
• What caused the mass extinction about 65 million years ago?

  A mass extinction caused the dinosaurs and many other groups of organisms to die out about 65 million years ago.
• What are the two main hypotheses for the dinosaurs' extinction?

  • Meteorite impact theory
  • Indian vulcanism theory
• What is the current rate of extinction compared to the past?

  Scientists estimate that the current rate of extinction is the highest since the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
• What is the 'sixth extinction' and what is it attributed to?

  The 'sixth extinction' is attributed mainly to human actions.
• How far back do the earliest fossils in South Africa date?

  The earliest fossils in South Africa date back to 3.5 billion years ago.
• How does human impact affect biodiversity and the environment?

  The impact of humans on biodiversity and the environment is speeding up the rate of extinction.
• What is fossil tourism and its benefits?

  • Fossil tourism involves visiting fossil sites.
  • Provides income and employment for local people.