Periods of the Archean era. Archean (“initial”) era in the development of life. What aromorphoses occurred in the Archean era

The earliest and most ancient period of development of the earth's crust is the Archean era. It was at this time, according to scientists, that the first living heterotrophic organisms appeared, which used various organic compounds as food. At the end of the Archean era, the core of our planet was being formed, the activity of volcanoes was rapidly decreasing, which is why life began to develop on Earth.

The Archean Era began about 4,000,000,000 years ago and lasted about 1.56 billion years. It is divided into four periods: Neoarchean, Paleoarchean, Mesoarchean and Eoarchean.

In the Archean Era

During the Neoarchaean period, which took place about 4,000 million years ago, the Earth was already formed as a planet. Almost the entire area was occupied by volcanoes, which erupted large quantities of lava. Its hot rivers formed continents, plateaus, mountains and oceanic depressions. Constant volcanic activity and high temperatures led to the formation of minerals - ore, copper, aluminum, gold, building stone, cobalt and iron. About 3.67 billion years ago, the first metamorphic and (granite, anorthosite and diorite) were formed, which were found in a variety of places: the Baltic and Canadian shields, the island of Greenland, etc.

During the Paleoarchean (3.7-3.34 billion years ago), the formation of the first continent - Valbara - and a single ocean took place. At the same time, the structure of the ocean ridges changed, which led to a gradual increase in the amount of water and a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.

Then came the Mesoarchean, during which the supercontinent began to slowly break apart. The Neoarchean, which ended approximately 2.65 billion years ago, saw the formation of the main continental mass. This fact speaks of the antiquity of all continents of our planet.

Climatic conditions and atmosphere

The Archean era was characterized by a small amount of water. Instead of a vast single ocean, there were only shallow basins located separately from each other. The atmosphere consisted mainly of gas (carbon dioxide - chemical formula CO2), its density was much higher than today. The water temperature reached 90 degrees. There was little nitrogen in the atmosphere, about ten to fifteen percent. There was practically no methane, oxygen and some other gases. The temperature of the atmosphere itself, according to scientists, reached 120 degrees.

Archean Era: Biology

During this era, the birth of the first simplest organisms occurs. Anaerobic bacteria became the first inhabitants of the Earth. In the Archean era, the first photosynthetic organisms appeared - cyanobacteria (prenuclear) and blue-green algae, which began to release free oxygen into the atmosphere from the Earth's oceans. This contributed to the emergence of living organisms capable of surviving in an oxygen environment.

But the Archeozoic era is important not only for the appearance of photosynthesis. At this time, two more important evolutionary events occurred: multicellularity and the sexual process appeared, which sharply increased adaptation to environmental conditions due to the creation of many chromosomal combinations.

1. Indicate the time boundaries and duration of the Archean era.

Time limits: 3500 - 2600 billion years ago.

Duration: 900 million years.

2. Complete the sentence.

The key event that determined the division of the organic world into plant and animal was the emergence of photosynthesis.

3. Reveal the evolutionary prospects that have opened up for living organisms in connection with the transition to the eukaryotic type of organization.

1. Diploidy, which arose along with the formed nucleus, made it possible to preserve mutations in a heterozygous state and use them as a reserve of hereditary variability for further evolutionary transformations.

2. The sexual process and heterozygosity increased the viability of individuals and increased their chances in the struggle for existence.

3. Diploidy and genetic diversity determined the heterogeneity of the structure of cells and their unification into colonies, which further entailed the “division of labor” between cells, that is, the formation of multicellularity.

4. Indicate the main advantages acquired by living organisms during the transition to a multicellular type of organization.

1. Cell differentiation has created a wide variety of cell types, which has expanded the structural and functional capabilities of the organism as a whole.

2. The organism itself has become a single whole with a complex and subtle interaction of its parts and a corresponding response to the environment.

5. Complete the sentence.

The organisms in which the sexual process first arose were protozoa.

6. Fill out the table.

7. Indicate the time boundaries of the Proterozoic era and its duration.

Time boundaries: 2600 billion - 600 million years ago.

Duration: about 2 billion years.

8. List the main groups of organisms representing the living world in the Proterozoic era.

Seaweeds, bacteria along the shores of water bodies, sponges, coelenterates, and some arthropods.

Archaea, or Archean era

The appearance of the atmosphere

Development of life

indicate the time boundaries and duration of the Archean era temporary

Photosynthesis

• Proterozoic era in brief

• Aromorphoses in animals in the Archean era

• The emergence of photosynthesis era

• Archaea of ​​the animal kingdom

• Archaean evolution of animals

Questions for this article:

Main articles: History of life on Earth, Geochronological scale

Archaea, or Archean era(from the Greek archaios - ancient) - the most ancient era, which lasted 900 million years.

In the early layers of the era, living beings did not leave any traces. This is mainly due to the fact that sedimentary rocks have undergone great changes under the influence of high temperature and pressure.

The presence of organic substances - limestone, marble, carbonaceous substances - indicates that living organisms, bacteria, and blue-green algae existed in the Archean era.

Colonial algae were also found in the later layers of the Archean era. In Archean rocks, graphites are more common, which are considered an integral part of organic compounds of microorganisms. In limestone rocks, primitive microorganisms formed underground fossils - iron, nickel, manganese, sulfur, oil and gases.

The appearance of the atmosphere

see Earth's Atmosphere#History of atmosphere formation

Development of life

The first living organisms—protobionts—were heterotrophic, i.e.

Indicate the time boundaries and duration of the Archean era time boundaries: duration:

e. ate ready-made organic substances. All life processes in them proceeded anaerobically, since the atmosphere did not contain free oxygen (at present, anaerobic organisms exist only in conditions where there is a lack of oxygen). The supply of organic substances was small, because the process of their abiogenic synthesis proceeded very slowly. Under the influence of natural selection, autotrophic organisms arose in the process of evolution. The emergence of organisms capable of photosynthesis - primary blue-green algae - is considered one of the most significant aromorphoses.

Photosynthesis

The first photosynthetic organisms appeared about 3 billion years ago. The main significance of photosynthesis in evolution is as follows. Material from the site http://wikiwhat.ru

• Photosynthesis contributes to the enrichment of the atmosphere with oxygen.
• The emergence of photosynthesis weakens the competition of organisms for organic substances synthesized abiogenically.
• The appearance of an ozone screen in the atmosphere as a result of photosynthesis protects organisms from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. As a result of the formation of free oxygen in the atmosphere, organisms began to switch to aerobic respiration. Since aerobic respiration was more efficient than anaerobic respiration, the transition to it accelerated the development and complexity of the organic world.

On this page there is material on the following topics:

• Archean era of plant aromorphoses

• Aromorphoses in plants and animals in the Archean era

• Changing organisms into Archaea

• Flora and fauna of the Archaean era

• What plants were there in the Archean era?

Questions for this article:

• In what era did the first living organisms appear?

• What aromorphoses occurred in the Archean era?

Material from the site http://WikiWhat.ru

Archean era.

Archean era- the oldest, earliest period in the history of the earth’s crust. IN Archean era The first living organisms arose. They were heterotrophs and used organic compounds as food. End Archean era- the time of formation of the earth’s core and a strong decrease in volcanic activity, which allowed the development of life on the planet.
Archean era which began about 4 billion years ago lasted approximately 1.5 billion years. Archean era divided into 4 periods: Eoarchean, Paleoarchean, Mesoarchean, Neoarchean

Earth's crust

The lower period of the Archean era - Eoarchaean 4 - 3.6 billion.

Indicate the time boundaries and duration of the Archean era.

l.n.
About 4 billion years ago the earth formed as a planet. Almost the entire surface was covered with volcanoes and rivers of lava flowed everywhere. Lava, erupted in large quantities, formed continents and ocean basins, mountains and plateaus. Constant volcanic activity, exposure to high temperatures and high pressure led to the formation of various minerals: various ores, building stone, copper, aluminum, gold, cobalt, iron, radioactive minerals and others. Approximately 3.8 billion years ago The first reliably confirmed igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, diorite and anorthosite formed on Earth. These rocks were found in a wide variety of places: on the island of Greenland, within the Canadian and Baltic shields, etc.

The Paleoarchean is followed by the Mesoarchean 3.2 - 2.8 billion years ago.
Approximately 2.8 billion years ago, the first supercontinent in Earth's history began to break apart.

Neoarchaean 2.8 - 2.5 billion years ago - the last period of the Archean era, which ended 2.5 billion years ago, is the time of formation of the bulk of the continental crust, which indicates the exceptional antiquity of the Earth’s continents. Atmosphere and climate of the Archean era. At the beginning Archean era There was little water on Earth; instead of a single ocean, there were only shallow basins that were not connected to each other. Atmosphere Archean era, mainly consisted of carbon dioxide CO2 and its density was much higher than the current one. Thanks to the carbon dioxide atmosphere, the water temperature reached 80-90°C. The nitrogen content was small, about 10-15%. There was almost no oxygen, methane and other gases. The atmospheric temperature reached 120°C.

Flora and fauna of the Archean era

Archaean era This is the time of the birth of the first organisms. The first inhabitants of our planet were anaerobic bacteria. The most important stage in the evolution of life on Earth is associated with the emergence of photosynthesis, which determines the division of the organic world into plant and animal. The first photosynthetic organisms were prokaryotic (prenuclear) cyanobacteria and blue-green algae. Eukaryotic green algae that then appeared released free oxygen from the ocean into the atmosphere, which contributed to the emergence of bacteria capable of living in an oxygen environment.
At the same time, on the border of the Archean Proterozoic era, two more major evolutionary events occurred - the sexual process and multicellularity appeared. Haploid organisms (bacteria and blue-greens) have one set of chromosomes. Each new mutation immediately manifests itself in their phenotype. If a mutation is beneficial, it is preserved by selection; if it is harmful, it is eliminated by selection. Haploid organisms continuously adapt to their environment, but they do not develop fundamentally new characteristics and properties. The sexual process dramatically increases the possibility of adaptation to environmental conditions, due to the creation of countless combinations in chromosomes.

Main articles: History of life on Earth, Geochronological scale

Archaea, or Archean era(from the Greek archaios - ancient) - the most ancient era, which lasted 900 million years.

In the early layers of the era, living beings did not leave any traces. This is mainly due to the fact that sedimentary rocks have undergone great changes under the influence of high temperature and pressure.

The presence of organic substances - limestone, marble, carbonaceous substances - indicates that living organisms, bacteria, and blue-green algae existed in the Archean era.

Colonial algae were also found in the later layers of the Archean era. In Archean rocks, graphites are more common, which are considered an integral part of organic compounds of microorganisms. In limestone rocks, primitive microorganisms formed underground fossils - iron, nickel, manganese, sulfur, oil and gases.

The appearance of the atmosphere

see Earth's Atmosphere#History of atmosphere formation

Development of life

The first living organisms - protobionts - were heterotrophic, that is, they fed on ready-made organic substances.

Indicate the time boundaries and duration of the Archean era time boundaries:...

All life processes in them proceeded anaerobically, since the atmosphere did not contain free oxygen (at present, anaerobic organisms exist only in conditions where there is a lack of oxygen). The supply of organic substances was small, because the process of their abiogenic synthesis proceeded very slowly. Under the influence of natural selection, autotrophic organisms arose in the process of evolution. The emergence of organisms capable of photosynthesis - primary blue-green algae - is considered one of the most significant aromorphoses.

Photosynthesis

The first photosynthetic organisms appeared about 3 billion years ago. The main significance of photosynthesis in evolution is as follows. Material from the site http://wikiwhat.ru

• Photosynthesis contributes to the enrichment of the atmosphere with oxygen.
• The emergence of photosynthesis weakens the competition of organisms for organic substances synthesized abiogenically.
• The appearance of an ozone screen in the atmosphere as a result of photosynthesis protects organisms from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. As a result of the formation of free oxygen in the atmosphere, organisms began to switch to aerobic respiration. Since aerobic respiration was more efficient than anaerobic respiration, the transition to it accelerated the development and complexity of the organic world.

On this page there is material on the following topics:

• Archean era: main processes and directions of evolution

• Archaeal era organisms

• What arose in the Erchean era

• Animals in the Archean era

• Living organisms in the Archean era

Questions for this article:

• In what era did the first living organisms appear?

• What aromorphoses occurred in the Archean era?

Material from the site http://WikiWhat.ru

Archean era (Archaean)

The Archean Era (Archaeum) – (in Greek – beginning) – is the oldest era in the geological history of the Earth. The modern geochronological scale begins with it (table). Archean deposits are usually classified as deposits older than 2500 million years.

After the Archean era comes the Proterozoic era, meaning the time of the appearance, the beginning of life. Relative to the Proterozoic, Archaea can therefore be defined as pre-life. This is how it has been considered since the creation of the geochronological table.

In 1756, the German geologist (then the name “geologist” did not yet exist) I.G. Lehman, in his book “An Experience in Restoring the History of the Flatsov Mountains,” taking into account the biblical concepts of the creation of a first lifeless Earth and the subsequent global flood, classified granites, gneisses and crystalline schists, which do not contain the remains of organisms, as vein rocks created by God before the creation of life. The layered (flecked) deposits overlying them were considered to be the result of the global flood. The clays and sands of the plains were considered the youngest.

In 1759, the Italian geologist G. Arduino called vein rocks primary, layered rocks secondary, clays and sands tertiary. In 1829, J. Denoyer proposed calling the upper part of the Tertiary deposits, which contained human stone tools, Quaternary.

According to the geochronological table, we are now living in the Quaternary period of the Cenozoic era - a direct legacy of the biblical legend.

In 1845, R. Murchison proposed that primary formations, as those that arose before the appearance of life, be called azoic (non-life - formed before the emergence of life on Earth). In 1872, the American geologist J. Dana replaced Azoi with Archaean.

At the beginning of the 20th century. IN AND. Vernadsky (1863-1945) drew the attention of natural scientists to the fact that rocks, regardless of the time of formation, are the same. In the Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic, granites, quartzites, and sandstones are common. This is due to the fact that the conditions for the formation of minerals and rocks on Earth throughout all known geological time were similar. If in the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic the conditions for the formation of rocks were reliably biogenic (under the conditions of the biosphere), then they were biogenic in the Archean and Proterozoic.

.

Hence the brilliant conclusion of V.I. Vernadsky: “The biosphere is geologically eternal,” or all rocks were formed under the conditions of the biosphere. Lifetime is unknown.

Taking this into account, the American geologist D. Chadwick in 1930 proposed dividing geological time into two eons: cryptozoic (kryptos in Greek hidden, secret and zoikos in Greek life) - the time of hidden life, when organisms did not have skeletons, leaving no obvious traces of life, and phanerozoic (phaneros in Greek, obvious) - the time of obvious life. The Cryptose was made up of the Archean and Proterozoic, and the Phanerozoic was made up of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.

If life existed on Earth in the Cryptozoic, then the Archean (pre-life time) and Proterozoic (the time of the appearance of life) had to be abandoned, as erroneously identified taking into account the idea of ​​​​the formation of a lifeless Earth with the subsequent creation of life on it. But this was not done.

In the middle of the 20th century. In the oldest rocks about 4 billion years old - Greenland quartzites - the remains of filamentous (multicellular) algae were identified under an electron microscope. Thus, direct confirmation was obtained of the absence of pre-life time, or the fallacy of the identification of Archaea.

Thus, the identification of the Cryptozoan, the presence of algal remains in the oldest rocks about 4 billion years old, clearly indicates the absence of pre-life time, indicating that the Archaea is a simulacrum in natural history.

Archaea or Archean eon- one of the four main periods in the history of the Earth, lasted from 4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago. At this time, there was no oxygen atmosphere on Earth, but the first anaerobic bacteria appeared, which formed many of the existing deposits of minerals: sulfur, graphite, iron and nickel.

Eoarchaean

The first period of the Archean era lasted approximately 400 million years. This period is characterized by increased meteorite showers, the formation of volcanic craters and the earth's crust. The active formation of the hydrosphere begins, and salty bodies of hot water appear, isolated from each other. Carbon dioxide predominates in the atmosphere; air temperatures reach 120 °C. The first living organisms appear - cyanobacteria, which begin to produce oxygen through photosynthesis. The formation of the hypothetical Vaalbara, the main earthly continent, is taking place.

Paleoarchaean

The next period of the Archean era covers a period of time of 400 million years. The Earth's magnetic field is strengthened by increasing the hardness of the earth's core. This has a beneficial effect on the living conditions and development of simple microorganisms. A day lasts about 15 hours. The formation of the world's oceans takes place. Changes in underwater ridges lead to a slow increase in the volume of water and a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The formation of the first earth's continent continues. Mountain ranges do not yet exist. Instead, active volcanoes rise above the ground.

Mesoarchean

The third period of the Archean era lasted 400 million years. At this time, the main continent splits into two parts. As a result of a sharp cooling of the planet, which is caused by constant volcanic processes, the Pongol glacial formation is formed. During this period, the number of cyanobacteria begins to actively grow. Chemolithotrophic organisms develop that do not require oxygen and sunlight. Vaalbar is fully formed. Its size is approximately equal to the size of modern Madagascar. The formation of the continent of Ur begins. Large islands slowly begin to form from volcanoes. The atmosphere, as before, is dominated by carbon dioxide. The air temperature remains high.

Neoarchaean

The last period of the Archean era ended 2.5 billion years ago. At this stage, the formation of the earth's crust is completed, and the level of oxygen in the atmosphere increases. The continent of Ur becomes the basis of Kenorland. Most of the planet is occupied by volcanoes. Their active activity leads to increased formation of minerals. Gold, silver, granites, diorites and other equally important natural resources were formed during the Neoarchean period. In the last centuries of the Archean era, the first multicellular organisms appeared, which were later divided into terrestrial and marine inhabitants. Bacteria begin to develop the sexual process of reproduction. Haploid microorganisms have one set of chromosomes. They constantly adapt to changes in their environment, but at the same time they do not develop other properties. The sexual process allowed adaptation to life with changes in the set of chromosomes. This made it possible for the further evolution of living organisms.

Flora and fauna of Archaea

The flora of this era cannot boast of diversity. The only plant species are unicellular filamentous algae - spheromorphids - the habitat of bacteria. When these algae form in colonies, they can be seen without special instruments. They can go free swimming or attach to the surface of something. In the future, the algae will form a new form of life - lichens.

During the Archean era, the first prokaryotes appeared - single-celled organisms without a nucleus. Through photosynthesis, prokaryotes produce oxygen and create favorable conditions for the emergence of new life forms. Prokaryotes are divided into two domains – bacteria and archaea.

It has now been established that archaea have features that distinguish them from other living organisms. Therefore, the classification that combines them with bacteria into one group is considered outdated. Externally, archaea are similar to bacteria, but some have unusual shapes. These organisms can absorb both sunlight and carbon. They can exist in the most unsuitable conditions for life. One type of archaea is food for marine life. Several species have been found in the human intestine. They take part in the digestive processes. Other types are used to clean sewage ditches and ditches.

There is a theory, unconfirmed by facts, that during the Archean era the birth and development of eukaryotes - microorganisms of the fungal kingdom, similar to yeasts - occurred.

The fact that life on earth originated during the Archean era is evidenced by the found fossilized stromalites - waste products of cyanobacteria. The first stromatolites were discovered in Canada, Siberia, Australia and Africa. Scientists have proven that it was bacteria that had a huge impact on the formation of aragonite crystals, which is found in mollusk shells and is part of corals. Thanks to cyanobacteria, deposits of carbonate and siliceous formations arose. Colonies of ancient bacteria look like mold. They were located in the area of ​​volcanoes, at the bottom of lakes, and in coastal areas.

Archean Climate

Scientists have not yet been able to find out anything about the climate zones of this period. The existence of zones of different climates in the Archean era can be judged by ancient glacial deposits - tillites. Remains of glaciations have been found in America, Africa, and Siberia today. It is not yet possible to determine their true size. Most likely, glacial deposits covered only mountain peaks, because vast continents had not yet been formed during the Archean era. The existence of a warm climate in some areas of the planet is indicated by the development of flora in the oceans.

Hydrosphere and atmosphere of Archean

In the early period there was little water on earth. The water temperature during the Archean era reached 90°C. This indicates the saturation of the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. There was very little nitrogen in it, there was almost no oxygen in the early stages, the remaining gases are quickly destroyed under the influence of sunlight. The atmospheric temperature reaches 120 degrees. If nitrogen predominated in the atmosphere, then the temperature would not be lower than 140 degrees.

In the late period, after the formation of the world ocean, the level of carbon dioxide began to decrease noticeably. The temperature of water and air also dropped. And the amount of oxygen increased. Thus, the planet gradually became suitable for life of various organisms.

Archean minerals

It was during the Archean era that the greatest formation of minerals occurred. This is facilitated by the active activity of volcanoes. Colossal deposits of iron, gold, uranium and manganese ores, aluminum, lead and zinc, copper, nickel and cobalt ores were laid down by this era of the earth's life. On the territory of the Russian Federation, Archean deposits have been found in the Urals and Siberia.

Archean era- the oldest, earliest period in the history of the earth’s crust. IN Archean era The first living organisms arose. They were heterotrophs and used organic compounds as food. End Archean era- the time of formation of the earth's core and a strong decrease in volcanic activity, which allowed the development of life on the planet.
Archean era which began about 4 billion years ago lasted approximately 1.5 billion years. Archean era divided into 4 periods: Eoarchean, Paleoarchean, Mesoarchean, Neoarchean

Earth's crust

The lower period of the Archean era - Eoarchean 4 - 3.6 billion years ago.
About 4 billion years ago the earth formed as a planet. Almost the entire surface was covered with volcanoes and rivers of lava flowed everywhere. Lava, erupted in large quantities, formed continents and ocean basins, mountains and plateaus. Constant volcanic activity, exposure to high temperatures and high pressure led to the formation of various minerals: various ores, building stone, copper, aluminum, gold, cobalt, iron, radioactive minerals and others. Approximately 3.8 billion years ago The first reliably confirmed igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, diorite and anorthosite formed on Earth. These rocks were found in a wide variety of places: on the island of Greenland, within the Canadian and Baltic shields, etc.

The Paleoarchean is followed by the Mesoarchean 3.2 - 2.8 billion years ago.
Approximately 2.8 billion years ago, the first supercontinent in Earth's history began to break apart.

Neoarchaean 2.8 - 2.5 billion years ago - the last period of the Archean era, which ended 2.5 billion years ago, is the time of formation of the bulk of the continental crust, which indicates the exceptional antiquity of the Earth's continents. Atmosphere and climate of the Archean era. At the beginning Archean era There was little water on Earth; instead of a single ocean, there were only shallow basins that were not connected to each other. Atmosphere Archean era, mainly consisted of carbon dioxide CO2 and its density was much higher than the current one. Thanks to the carbon dioxide atmosphere, the water temperature reached 80-90°C. The nitrogen content was small, about 10-15%. There was almost no oxygen, methane and other gases.

The atmospheric temperature reached 120°C.

Flora and fauna of the Archean era Archaean era
This is the time of the birth of the first organisms. The first inhabitants of our planet were anaerobic bacteria. The most important stage in the evolution of life on Earth is associated with the emergence of photosynthesis, which determines the division of the organic world into plant and animal. The first photosynthetic organisms were prokaryotic (prenuclear) cyanobacteria and blue-green algae. Eukaryotic green algae that then appeared released free oxygen from the ocean into the atmosphere, which contributed to the emergence of bacteria capable of living in an oxygen environment.

At the same time, on the border of the Archean Proterozoic era, two more major evolutionary events occurred - the sexual process and multicellularity appeared. Haploid organisms (bacteria and blue-greens) have one set of chromosomes. Each new mutation immediately manifests itself in their phenotype. If a mutation is beneficial, it is preserved by selection; if it is harmful, it is eliminated by selection. Haploid organisms continuously adapt to their environment, but they do not develop fundamentally new characteristics and properties. The sexual process dramatically increases the possibility of adaptation to environmental conditions, due to the creation of countless combinations in chromosomes.

Life on Earth began over 3.5 billion years ago, immediately after the completion of the formation of the earth's crust. Throughout time, the emergence and development of living organisms influenced the formation of relief and climate. Also, tectonic and climatic changes that have occurred over many years have influenced the development of life on Earth.

A table of the development of life on Earth can be compiled based on the chronology of events. The entire history of the Earth can be divided into certain stages. The largest of them are eras of life. They are divided into eras, eras into epochs, epochs into centuries.

Eras of life on Earth

The entire period of the existence of life on Earth can be divided into 2 periods: the Precambrian, or cryptozoic (primary period, 3.6 to 0.6 billion years), and the Phanerozoic.

The Phanerozoic includes the Paleozoic (ancient life), Mesozoic (middle life) and Cenozoic (new life) eras.

These 2 periods of life development are usually divided into smaller ones - eras. The boundaries between eras are global evolutionary events, extinctions. In turn, eras are divided into periods, and periods into epochs. The history of the development of life on Earth is directly related to changes in the earth’s crust and the planet’s climate.

Eras of development, countdown

The most significant events are usually identified in special time intervals - eras. Time is counted down in reverse order, from ancient life to modern life. There are 5 eras:

1. Archean.
2. Proterozoic.
3. Paleozoic.
4. Mesozoic.
5. Cenozoic.

Periods of development of life on Earth

The Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras include periods of development. These are smaller periods of time compared to eras.

Palaeozoic:

• Cambrian (Cambrian).
• Ordovician.
• Silurian (Silurian).
• Devonian (Devonian).
• Carboniferous (carbon).
• Perm (Perm).

Mesozoic era:

• Triassic (Triassic).
• Jurassic (Jurassic).
• Cretaceous (chalk).

Cenozoic era:

• Lower Tertiary (Paleogene).
• Upper Tertiary (Neogene).
• Quaternary, or Anthropocene (human development).

The first 2 periods are included in the Tertiary period lasting 59 million years.

Table of the development of life on Earth

Era, period	Duration	Live nature	Inanimate nature, climate
Archean era (ancient life)	3.5 billion years	The appearance of blue-green algae, photosynthesis. Heterotrophs	The predominance of land over the ocean, the minimum amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.
Proterozoic era (early life)	2.7 billion years	The appearance of worms, mollusks, the first chordates, soil formation.	The land is a rocky desert. Accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere.
The Paleozoic era includes 6 periods:
1. Cambrian (Cambrian)	535-490 Ma	Development of living organisms.	Hot climate. The land is deserted.
2. Ordovician	490-443 Ma	The appearance of vertebrates.	Almost all platforms are flooded with water.
3. Silurian (Silurian)	443-418 Ma	Exit of plants to land. Development of corals, trilobites.	with the formation of mountains. The seas dominate the land. The climate is varied.
4. Devonian (Devonian)	418-360 Ma	The appearance of mushrooms and lobe-finned fish.	Formation of intermountain depressions. Prevalence of dry climate.
5. Coal (carbon)	360-295 Ma	The appearance of the first amphibians.	Subsidence of continents with flooding of territories and the emergence of swamps. There is a lot of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
6. Perm (Perm)	295-251 Ma	Extinction of trilobites and most amphibians. The beginning of the development of reptiles and insects.	Volcanic activity. Hot climate.
The Mesozoic era includes 3 periods:
1. Triassic (Triassic)	251-200 million years	Development of gymnosperms. The first mammals and bony fish.	Volcanic activity. Warm and sharply continental climate.
2. Jurassic (Jurassic)	200-145 million years	The emergence of angiosperms. Distribution of reptiles, appearance of the first bird.	Mild and warm climate.
3. Cretaceous (chalk)	145-60 million years	The appearance of birds and higher mammals.	Warm climate followed by cooling.
The Cenozoic era includes 3 periods:
1. Lower Tertiary (Paleogene)	65-23 million years	The rise of angiosperms. Development of insects, appearance of lemurs and primates.	Mild climate with distinct climatic zones.
2. Upper Tertiary (Neogene)	23-1.8 million years	The appearance of ancient people.	Dry climate.
3. Quaternary or Anthropocene (human development)	1.8-0 Ma	The appearance of man.	Cold weather.

Development of living organisms

The table of the development of life on Earth involves division not only into time periods, but also into certain stages of the formation of living organisms, possible climate changes (ice age, global warming).

• Archean era. The most significant changes in the evolution of living organisms are the appearance of blue-green algae - prokaryotes capable of reproduction and photosynthesis, and the emergence of multicellular organisms. The appearance of living protein substances (heterotrophs) capable of absorbing organic substances dissolved in water. Subsequently, the appearance of these living organisms made it possible to divide the world into plant and animal.

• Mesozoic era.

• Triassic. Distribution of plants (gymnosperms). Increase in the number of reptiles. The first mammals, bony fish.
• Jurassic period. The predominance of gymnosperms, the emergence of angiosperms. The appearance of the first bird, the flourishing of cephalopods.
• Cretaceous period. Distribution of angiosperms, decline of other plant species. Development of bony fishes, mammals and birds.

• Cenozoic era.
  • Lower Tertiary period (Paleogene). The rise of angiosperms. Development of insects and mammals, appearance of lemurs, later primates.
  • Upper Tertiary period (Neogene). The formation of modern plants. The appearance of human ancestors.
  • Quaternary period (Anthropocene). Formation of modern plants and animals. The appearance of man.

Development of inanimate conditions, climate change

The table of the development of life on Earth cannot be presented without data on changes in inanimate nature. The emergence and development of life on Earth, new species of plants and animals, all this is accompanied by changes in inanimate nature and climate.

Climate Change: Archean Era

The history of the development of life on Earth began through the stage of the predominance of land over water resources. The relief was poorly outlined. The atmosphere is dominated by carbon dioxide, the amount of oxygen is minimal. Shallow waters have low salinity.

The Archean era is characterized by volcanic eruptions, lightning, and black clouds. The rocks are rich in graphite.

Climatic changes in the Proterozoic era

The land is a rocky desert; all living organisms live in water. Oxygen accumulates in the atmosphere.

Climate Change: Paleozoic Era

During various periods of the Paleozoic era the following occurred:

• Cambrian period. The land is still deserted. The climate is hot.
• Ordovician period. The most significant changes are the flooding of almost all northern platforms.
• Silurian. Tectonic changes and conditions of inanimate nature are varied. Mountain formation occurs and the seas dominate the land. Areas of different climates, including areas of cooling, have been identified.
• Devonian. The climate is dry and continental. Formation of intermountain depressions.
• Carboniferous period. Subsidence of continents, wetlands. The climate is warm and humid, with a lot of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Permian period. Hot climate, volcanic activity, mountain building, drying out of swamps.

During the Paleozoic era, mountains were formed. Such changes in relief affected the world's oceans - sea basins were reduced, and a significant land area was formed.

The Paleozoic era marked the beginning of almost all major oil and coal deposits.

Climatic changes in the Mesozoic

The climate of different periods of the Mesozoic is characterized by the following features:

• Triassic. Volcanic activity, climate is sharply continental, warm.
• Jurassic period. Mild and warm climate. The seas dominate the land.
• Cretaceous period. Retreat of the seas from the land. The climate is warm, but at the end of the period global warming gives way to cooling.

In the Mesozoic era, previously formed mountain systems are destroyed, the plains go under water (Western Siberia). In the second half of the era, the Cordillera, the mountains of Eastern Siberia, Indochina, and partly Tibet were formed, and the mountains of Mesozoic folding were formed. The prevailing climate is hot and humid, promoting the formation of swamps and peat bogs.

Climate Change - Cenozoic Era

During the Cenozoic era, a general rise of the Earth's surface occurred. The climate has changed. Numerous glaciations of the earth's surfaces advancing from the north changed the appearance of the continents of the Northern Hemisphere. Thanks to such changes, the hilly plains were formed.

• Lower Tertiary period. Mild climate. Division into 3 climatic zones. Formation of continents.
• Upper Tertiary period. Dry climate. The emergence of steppes and savannas.
• Quaternary period. Multiple glaciations of the northern hemisphere. Cooling climate.

All changes during the development of life on Earth can be written down in the form of a table that will reflect the most significant stages in the formation and development of the modern world. Despite the already known research methods, even now scientists continue to study history, making new discoveries that allow modern society to learn how life developed on Earth before the advent of man.