Paleozoic
Paleozoic
Paleozoic (pronunciation: /ˌpeɪl.iːəˈzoʊ.ɪk/) is a term used in geology to describe a specific era in the Earth's history. The term is derived from the Greek words 'palaios' (meaning 'old') and 'zoion' (meaning 'animal').
The Paleozoic era spans from approximately 541 to 252.17 million years ago and is the first of three eras in the Phanerozoic eon. It is characterized by the emergence of diverse marine organisms, the evolution of fish, the first land plants, and the first land-dwelling animals.
Subdivisions
The Paleozoic era is divided into six geological periods: the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian periods. Each of these periods is defined by significant events or changes in the Earth's biosphere.
Life during the Paleozoic
The Paleozoic era is known for the rapid evolution of life forms. The era began with simple, single-celled organisms and ended with complex organisms such as fish, insects, and the first reptiles. The era also saw the first plants move onto land, leading to the development of forests and the first terrestrial ecosystems.
End of the Paleozoic
The Paleozoic era ended with the largest mass extinction event in Earth's history, known as the Permian-Triassic extinction event. This event wiped out approximately 90% of all marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species.
See also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Paleozoic
- Wikipedia's article - Paleozoic
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