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Paleontology
Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life and an organism's interaction with other organisms and the environment. It is a science that attempts to explain causes, rather than to conduct experiments to observe effects, and is often based on fossil evidence. Questions here have to do with anything that pertains to paleontology.
3,044 Questions
What do a fossil and a mummy have in common?
Both fossils and mummies are remains of living organisms that have been preserved over a long period of time. Fossils are the preserved remains of animals or plants that lived in the past, while mummies are preserved bodies of humans or animals that have undergone intentional or natural preservation processes. Both provide valuable insights into the history and evolution of life on Earth.
A ruby is found chiefly in Myanmar,Thailand,and Sri Lanka and classified among the most valuable of gems.
What causes the Earth magnitic field?
The inner core and outer core of the planet are composed primarily of iron and nickel. The outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid. It is thought that the convective motion of the liquid outer core is responsible for generating the main field. Recent studies indicate that the inner core of the Earth may rotate a bit faster than the outer core and it is possible that this rotation may be associated with field reversals.
When did woody material in plants evolve?
Woody material in plants evolved around 400 million years ago during the Devonian period, giving rise to the first trees. This development allowed plants to grow larger and taller, providing structural support and access to more light for photosynthesis.
When did the 5 mass extinctions occurred?
The five mass extinctions that occurred in Earth's history took place during the Ordovician period (about 445 million years ago), the Devonian period (about 375 million years ago), the Permian period (about 251 million years ago), the Triassic period (about 200 million years ago), and the Cretaceous period (about 66 million years ago).
How can a plant get water from deep underground?
Plants with deep roots can access water from underground sources through a process called hydraulic lift, where they draw up water from deeper soil layers at night and store it in their tissues for use during the day. Additionally, some plants have specialized root systems that can grow deep into the ground to reach water sources deeper underground.
How many days does it take for the moon to go around the sun?
The Moon goes once around the Earth about every 28 days. The Earth goes once around the Sun every 365.4 days, or one year. Therefore, the Moon, while orbiting the Earth, goes around the Sun once a year.
What are the huge masses of snow and ice that move?
Glaciers are huge masses of snow and ice that move slowly over land due to gravity. They are formed from the accumulation, compaction, and recrystallization of snow over many years. Glaciers play a crucial role in shaping the Earth's landscape by eroding rocks and carving out valleys.
What information did geologists use to develop the geologic time scale?
Geologists used a combination of fossil evidence, rock layers, and radiometric dating techniques to develop the geologic time scale. Fossils provide a record of past life forms, while rock layers indicate the relative ages of different geological events. Radiometric dating allows for assigning numerical ages to specific rock formations.
Which two elements were discovered in the 1900s?
There were actually four elements discovered in the 1990s. Darmstadtium was discovered on November 9, 1994. Roentgenium was discovered on December 8, 1994. Copernicium was discovered on February 9, 1996. Flerovium was informally identified in January of 1999.
What are rock layers disturbances?
Rock layers disturbances are events or processes that disrupt the natural order or arrangement of rocks in layers. This can include folding, faulting, and erosion that can affect the relative position, orientation, or shape of rock layers. These disturbances provide valuable information to geologists about the geological history and processes that have shaped the Earth's surface.
What part of the earth is believed to be solid iron and nickel?
The inner core of the Earth is believed to be solid iron and nickel. It is the innermost part of the Earth, located beneath the outer core and composed mainly of iron and nickel due to the extreme pressure and temperature conditions.
sugar is generally glucose, which has the formula C6H1206, although the chemical term "sugar" refers to a number of chemicals. glucose is not only the energy source for humans, but also for plants, which produce is via photosynthesis.
the sugar to which i presume you're referring to is sucrose, which is a disaccharide - two glucoses joined together - which is produced in plants, most notably cane sugar plants. i assume it can be manmade, although the abundance of sucrose elsewhere makes that redundant.
Absolute age refers to the exact age of a rock, fossil, or other geologic feature in years. It is typically determined using radiometric dating techniques that measure the decay of radioactive isotopes within the object. This method provides a more precise and accurate age compared to relative dating methods.
What is the difference between the paleolithic era to the mesolithic era?
The Paleolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age, was marked by the use of simple stone tools and hunting-gathering societies. The Mesolithic era, or Middle Stone Age, saw advancements in tool technology, including the creation of smaller and more specialized tools, as well as the domestication of animals and the shift towards semi-sedentary lifestyles.
When is Corondum valuable and what is it called?
Given its remarkable hardness (second only to diamond on Moh's scale), any corundum is of course economically valuable for industrial grinding purposes just as long as it's not radioactive. However, corundum crystals of much greater value can be found as the gemstones ruby and sapphire. As gems these are most valuable when found as large, clear single crystals with appealing color characteristics and few "defects."
Is limestone with holes mechanical or chemical weathering?
Limestone with holes is typically a result of chemical weathering. The holes are often created through the process of carbonation, where carbonic acid in rainwater reacts with the calcium carbonate in limestone to dissolve it and create cavities over time.
The resistance of a mineral to scratching?
The resistance of a mineral to scratching is measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). The resistance to scratching is determined by testing the mineral's ability to scratch or be scratched by another mineral on the scale.
What does the inner magma in the Earth do?
The inner magma in the Earth is located in the mantle and core regions. It plays a crucial role in driving plate tectonics and creating volcanic activity on the Earth's surface through processes like mantle convection and magma upwelling. This molten material also helps regulate the Earth's magnetic field.
What are stem cutting???
Stem cuttings are the most commonly used method of vegetative propagation. A stem cutting is plant stemincluding a tip (e.g. shoot, twig, sucker, ) or a portion of a stem without the apex that includes one or more nodesremoved from a parent plant and capable of rooting; A stem cutting is used to grow a whole new plant, which is also known as cloning (because you are creating an exact copy of the parent plant, a clone).
The stem sections should be free of diseases and pests. Cut below a node. For tip cutting remove foliage from the bottom half of the stem leaving only few leaves in the top. When a cutting is made, injured xylem and phloem cellsplug the tubes so that precious fluids are not lost. Usually a Callus forms at the cut. Cells near the callus area reorganize to form adventitious roots.
The cutting is then placed into rooting medium so that the base of the cutting is below the surface. Some plants willreproduce readily from cuttings while others take a considerable amount of time and care. Rooting condition may vary considerably in different species but in general the best conditions needed for most kind of cuttings to root comprises high humidity, indirect light and soil temperatures of 20°C to 25° C.
These conditions may be created by keeping cuttings enclosed under glass or in plastic bags in dappled shade. Rooting can take from a few days up to several months. Rooting hormones may be used with this method as they helps to stimulate rooting.
There are different typology of stem cuttings:
Herbaceous cuttings:Are stems or pieces of stems taken from nonwoody plants, such as perennials and houseplants and rooted in the normal way.Softwood cuttings:Are pieces of new growth taken from woody stock plants. These cuttings are taken from first-year branches that have not yet become woody. Flowering shrubs are often propagated by softwood cuttings. Late spring and early summer are the best times for success with this method. Make a diagonal cut. The larger diagonal cut gives more area to develop roots. Keep cuttings in water before moving them into rooting medium. Make cuttings 5-30 cm long with no flowers or buds on them. Larger cuttings produce larger plants sooner. Make cuts slightly below a leaf node , and root in the normal way.Hardwood cuttings:Are taken from tissue which has become woody and the plant is dormant. Cuttings can be taken anytime from late autumn after a killing frost until late winter. Select healthy wood that was produced the previous summer. Several cuttings can be made from the same branch of some shrubs. Make cuts at a slant, 10 to 25 cm long. Basal cuts should be just below a node, while the upper cut should be slightly above a bud. Mark the most terminal end of each cutting with a tag. Bury cuttings vertically in moist vermiculite or sand. Cuttings should not freeze, but must remain cool. A callus will form on the lower cut end during storage. Callus formation indicates that cuttings are ready to root. In spring, remove the cuttings from storage. Plant in a hotbed or other protected site with morning sun exposure or filtered light. Leave 1 to 2 inches of cutting above ground. Keep cuttings moist until a root system forms. Transplant the cuttings the following spring while they are still dormant.Succulent cutting:Growing a cactus and succulents from a stem cutting is usually very easy! But for successfully results some particular precautions are needed, above all avoid to make the most common mistake consisting in planting the cutting before it has callused, this error is often fatal.
CUT: Chose a healthy stem sections. Make a straight, clean cut with a sharp knife. Use a saw for larger plants with woody skeletons. The application of both a rooting hormone as well as fungicide on the cut surfaces helps prevent infection and accelerate rooting. Cactus cuttings root most easily when taken during their natural growth season (usually in warm weather).
DRY & LET CALLUSING: Place the cutting in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight until the wound is fully callused over. This will take a few days for a small cut surface, or week or month for a large cut surface. Erect stems should be kept erect during this period, or else turned frequently, to prevent formation of roots along the side that is on the bottom, and to prevent possible curvature of the stem. If cuttings stay for a along time out of soil they start spontaneously producing adventitious roots (see photo) when roots are visible the cutting can be successfully planted.
PLANT: Plant the calloused cutting into a container with good drainage holes filled with a well-drained soil mixture just deep enough to hold it upright. The soil mixture should contain enough gravel, coarse sand, perlite, or pumice to ensure good drainage. During cool or humid weather, cactus cuttings should be rooted in an especially well-drained mixture. Rooting is best accomplished with some shade to prevent sunburn of the plant. Cuttings in full sun will require more water and sunburn very easily. For cacti which crawl along the ground or that have long, thin stems and for stapeliads, place the cutting lying down on the surface of the soil mix, directly on top of loose soil. For opuntias, or any other cactus that branches freely, place the pad or stem in the soil or on its side, so that new growth will be clean and upright.
WATER: Water immediately after planting and thereafter every time the planting mix becomes totally dry. Never allow the planting mix to remain totally dry for more than a few days. Over watering is the most common problem with growing cactus. Remember, these plants live in areas which have very little annual rainfall and the main reason for rooting failure is rot especially in cool or humid months when soil does not dry out quickly. In cool weather, it may not be necessary to water the plant after the initial watering until the weather begins to turn warm. Winter is "dormant" season for cactus. Do not water unless plant looks noticeably shrivelled.. Water held by the cactus stems can freeze, killing the entire plant, and will also cause root rot and fungus problems Keeps cacti dry and cool during winter is essential. Do not allow water to collect into a saucer beneath the pot, cactus roots do not like continued exposure to moisture.
CHECK: Cactus will begin to root in anywhere form 2 to 6 weeks. When roots have established, the plant will then start to show new growth. Check for roots every two weeks by gently moving the plant in the soil, using tongs or wearing gloves. If there is strong resistance, the cutting is rooted. New growth is evidence that rooting has occurred, but sudden swelling (turgor) of the stem is better proof that water-absorbing roots are present. As long as the cutting still contains moisture, and is not diseased, it still has the potential to eventually make roots, even if it is somewhat shriveled.
Are rocks that have fossils in them are usually formed from animals?
Yes, rocks with fossils are often formed from the remains of animals. When an animal dies and is buried, its remains can be preserved in sedimentary rock as fossils over long periods of time. These fossils can provide valuable insights into the past life forms of our planet.
It's difficult to define exactly how the wildlife would be affected. Different variables would affect the ultimate outcome in a situation such as this.
For example, if the plant species which becomes extinct is a species commonly used by an insect group for breeding or feeding, and in turn, these insects turn out to be a source of food for another group of animals then obviously, as the plant species becomes scarce, so would the insects, and then, without a sustained food-source, each animal group relying on the plant would dwindle in size.
This could have effects such as behavioral changes in animals, animal groups dying, as well as changes in the other plants, if along this chain, one of the groups is responsible for harvesting certain leaves from trees etc.
Is there gem stone panning in Nebraska?
Gemstone panning is not commonly practiced in Nebraska, as the state is not known for being a major gemstone-producing region. However, some hobbyists may engage in this activity in certain areas where small amounts of gemstones can be found. It is important to check local regulations and obtain permission before engaging in any panning activities.
