what do the terms paleozoic, mesozoic and cenozoic mean?
The terms paleozoic, mesozoic, and cenozoic are geological eras that refer to distinct periods of time in Earth's history.
Paleozoic means "ancient life" and refers to the geological era that lasted from about 541 to 251 million years ago. This era saw the rise of many different types of marine life, including trilobites, crinoids, and brachiopods. It also saw the evolution and diversification of early land plants and the emergence of the first vertebrates.
Mesozoic means "middle life" and refers to the geological era that lasted from about 251 to 65.5 million years ago. This era is sometimes called the Age of Dinosaurs because it saw the rise of these creatures as the dominant terrestrial animals. The Mesozoic was also marked by the emergence of birds, the evolution of mammals, and the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea.
Cenozoic means "new life" and refers to the geological era that began about 65.5 million years ago and continues to the present day. This era saw the diversification of mammals, including the emergence of primates and the evolution of humans. It was also marked by the extinction of many larger animals, including dinosaurs, and the rise of new ones, such as whales and elephants.