BIO112 Spring 2024 Exam 1 Terms

BIO112 Spring 2024 Exam 1 Terms radiometric dating general approach used to determine the age of specimens using the rate of decay of radioactive isotopes radiocarbon dating a chemical analysis used to determine the age of organic materials based on their content of the radioisotope carbon-14 potassium-40 dating radiometric dating method often used in the assessment of volcanic intrusions in sedimentary layers. It is based on measurement of the product of the radioactive decay of an isotope of potassium (K) into argon (Ar). half-life length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay punctuated equilibrium Pattern of evolution in which long stable periods are interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change Cambrian explosion A burst of evolutionary origins when most of the major body plans of animals appeared in a relatively brief time in geologic history; recorded in the fossil record about 545 to 525 million years ago. macroevolution Evolutionary change that produces new species microevolution Evolutionary change/adaptation below the species level; change in the allele frequencies in a population over generations. Linnaeus Father of taxonomy Lamarck Proposed theory that organisms pass on traits they acquire in their lifetime. Cuvier catastrophism: believed that the extinction of species was caused by catastrophic events such as floods Lyell and Hutton scientists who said the world was old and slowly, but constantly changing Malthus an English economist and demographer; suggested populations have a potential for increase that exceeds the actual rate of increase, and the resources for the support of increa