Campbell Biology, Books a la Carte Plus Mastering Biology with eText -- Access Card Package (10th Edition)
Campbell Biology, Books a la Carte Plus Mastering Biology with eText -- Access Card Package (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780133922851
Author: Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Robert B. Jackson
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 32.4, Problem 3CC
Summary Introduction

To evaluate: The statement that the “Cambrian explosion actually consists of three explosions, not one.”

Concept introduction:

Cambrian explosion refers to the rapid diversification of animals that occurred 535-525 million years ago, during the Paleozoic era. Simple, soft bodied animals also called Ediacaran fauna inhabited the earth before the Cambrian explosion. There are various hypotheses that explain the Cambrian explosion.

According to one hypothesis, the appearance of a prey-predator relationship led to the Cambrian explosion. The predators in the Cambrian period acquired novel adaptations for predation. This led to natural selection of prey with hard bodies. The hard bodies helped them in defense from predators.

Another hypothesis emphasizes on the increase in atmospheric oxygen. The increase in atmospheric oxygen led to the evolution of animals with high metabolic rate and larger body size.

According to another hypothesis, the evolution of Hox genes (developmental genes) and microRNAs led to the evolution of animals with complex bodies. The evidences of first arthropods and chordates come from the rock strata of the Cambrian period.

Blurred answer
Students have asked these similar questions
Please exaplain    1. One of the explanations for the diversity seen in the fossils corresponding to the Cambrian explosion is the existence of an evolutionary “arms race” between predators and prey. True or False ?   2.Our planet is undergoing such a rapid transition that we may have shifted into a new epoch: the Anthropocene. True or False?
-How long is the time span between the appearance of free atmospheric oxygen and evidence of complex (multicellular) forms? -How much time is there between complex forms and the Cambrian Explosion?
Draw a line above the geologic time scale below to mark the age range for each clade
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781337408332
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781305073951
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Fossil: The Language & History of Paleontology; Author: Alliterative;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9yNwRBlKtU;License: Standard youtube license