p. 624 Earth’s Middle and Recent History
Introduction
to the Mesozoic Era
Visit this site by the Museum of Paleontology, University of
California, Berkeley to learn more about the Mesozoic Era. You can click
on the buttons at the bottom of the page to learn about the biology
and geology of this time period. Or you can click on Dinobuzz to explore
current research on dinosaurs. The Mesozoic Era is characterized by
the dinosaurs and by the development of modern gymnosperms. When did
the earliest angiosperms (flowering plants) appear?
The Mesozoic Era
This site from San Diego State University describes the animals that lived during the Mesozoic Era. It also includes art of several of the organisms described. During which period did Archaeopteryx live?
Introduction
to the Cenozoic Era
Go to this site by the Museum of Paleontology, University of
California, Berkeley to learn more about the Cenozoic Era. The Cenozoic
comprises the most recent history of Earth. Click on the buttons at
the bottom of the page to learn about the biology and geology of the
Cenozoic Era. Scroll down to find out more about the six epochs that
make up this era. What is the epoch of geologic time in which we live?
Dinosaurs:
Facts and Fiction
At this U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site you can find answers
to frequently asked questions about dinosaurs. Scroll down and click
on did dinosaurs communicate to find out what scientists have concluded
about this topic from studying dinosaur fossils.
Prehistoric Planet
Visit this Discovery Online site to learn about the animals that roamed through prehistoric earth. Learn how our understanding of dinosaurs has evolved along with the discoveries and new finds. Choose the "Zip Code Dino Finder" and learn which dinosaurs were found in your area.
p.634 Mass Extinctions
The
Mass Extinctions: Introduction
Visit this BBC Online site to learn more about mass extinctions
on Earth. There were six major extinctions, one each in the late Cambrian,
Ordovician, Devonian, and Triassic, and one each at the end of the Permian
and Cretaceous. Some scientists suggest that there is a cycle of mass
extinctions on Earth. Click on cycle of mass extinction, then on is
there a pattern to extinctions, to learn what a cycle of mass extinction
could mean.
Dinosaur Extinction
This site provides a good, general description of how organisms become
extinct. Scroll down to learn more about mass extinctions, then click
on Cretaceous asteroid theory to learn more about this theory of dinosaur
extinction. Many extinctions occur due to small changes in ecosystems
rather than as a result of a catastrophic event. At what time did plesiosaurs
become extinct?
Dinosaur
Extinction Page
Go to this site to learn about the two serious theories about the
mass extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. These two theories
are known as the asteroid theory and the volcano theory. What does the
element iridium have to do with the theories about dinosaur extinction?
Dinosaur
Extinction: The Volcano-Greenhouse Theory
Visit this site to learn more about the mass extinction that
occurred at the boundary between two geologic time periods – the Cretaceous-Tertiary
(K-I) mass extinction. The site explains the differences between two
competing theories that attempt to explain the K-I mass extinction.
p. 640 Hominid Fossil Finds
Fossil Hominids
Go to this site to learn more about hominid species and their fossils.
The site begins with an outline. Scroll down to read the associated
text. What is the oldest known hominid fossil?
Prominent
Hominid Fossils
This site provides a comprehensive look at all hominid fossils
found to date with information about the site where it was discovered,
its name, and its species name, if known. Abbreviations used in the
list are given near the top of the page. Scroll down and read about
the Taung child. Who discovered this hominid fossil?
The
Evidence: Hominid Fossils
At this site you can read a good description of hominid fossils,
including Ardipithecus ramidus, discovered in 1994, and Australopithecus
anamensis, discovered in 1995. Which of these newly discovered fossils
may represent the true beginnings of the human line?
p. 644 Dinosaur Sizes and Weights
ZoomDinosaurs.com
Visit this site to find out everything you might want to know
about dinosaurs. The site is designed for students of all ages; it starts
at a basic level, then progresses to more advanced information. Scroll
down through the all about dinosaurs menu, and click on Size. The size
of the dinosaurs page includes a graphic, text, and a chart that lists
the major groups of dinosaurs by order, suborder, infraorder, family,
genera, time range, and size range. Scroll down to the chart. How big
was Compsognathus compared to Oviraptor?
What
was the biggest dinosaur? What was the smallest?
Go to this USGS site for a quick comparison of dinosaur sizes.
If birds are in fact dinosaur descendants, what is the smallest dinosaur?
