NATS 1880 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Chordate, Impact Crater, Homo Floresiensis
23 Mar 2016
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Document Summary
The origin and evolution of life on earth. Three lines of fossil evidence all point to the idea that, geologically speaking, life arose quite early in earth"s history. If we are interpreting all data correctly, it is likely that life arose considerably earlier than 3. 85 billion years ago: stromatolites. Rocks that are characterized by a distinctive, layered structure. Implies that stromatolites are fossil remnants of early life. If correct, stromatolites date life to at least 3. 5 billion years ago. Photosynthesis suggests that a more primitive form of life (less complex energy utilization process) must predate stromatolites: microfossils/microscopic fossils. Confirming the existence of an ancient microfossil is difficult due to erosion with time. Controversial example: 3. 5 billion y/o rock formation in northwestern australia. Seem to have structures that look like individual cells with a presence of organic carbon and therefore fossils of early photosynthetic organisms.
