Precambrian Cambrian Life Notes

The document is a question bank focused on life during the Precambrian and the transition to the Cambrian period, particularly in relation to India. It includes questions about the oldest evidence of life, types of organisms, significant fossils, and geological formations. Key topics include stromatolites, Ediacaran fauna, and the Cambrian explosion, highlighting the evolution of life and geological changes over time.

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Precambrian Cambrian Life Notes

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apurba

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Objective Question Bank:

Life in Precambrian & Precambrian–Cambrian

Boundary (with special reference to India)
Q1. Which is the oldest known evidence of life on Earth?
Answer: Stromatolites (~3.5 Ga, Warrawoona Group, Australia)
Explanation: Stromatolites formed by cyanobacteria are the earliest macroscopic evidence of life.

Q2. What is the main type of life recorded in the Precambrian?

Answer: Prokaryotes (bacteria, cyanobacteria)
Explanation: Precambrian life was dominated by unicellular prokaryotes.

Q3. Which eukaryotic fossils are first recorded in the Precambrian?

Answer: Acritarchs
Explanation: Organic-walled microfossils called Acritarchs appear in the late Proterozoic.

Q4. The first multicellular soft-bodied organisms appeared in:

Answer: Ediacaran period (635–541 Ma)
Explanation: Ediacaran fauna marks the first appearance of multicellular metazoans.

Q5. Ediacaran fauna mainly represents:

Answer: Soft-bodied organisms (Cnidarians, possible early Arthropods, Molluscs)
Explanation: Ediacaran biota shows the first large body fossils before Cambrian explosion.

Q6. What marks the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary globally?

Answer: Appearance of small shelly fossils (SSF) and Treptichnus pedum trace fossil
Explanation: The first widespread biomineralization and trace fossils define the boundary.

Q7. In India, stromatolite-bearing rocks are found in:

Answer: Vindhyan Supergroup
Explanation: Vindhyan basin has abundant stromatolites (Chitrakut Group, Bhander Group).

Q8. Which Indian basin preserves Ediacaran fossils?

Answer: Vindhyan Supergroup (Upper Vindhyan, Bhander Group)
Explanation: Ediacaran impressions (Spriggina-like, Arumberia) are reported in Vindhyan rocks.

Q9. Small shelly fossils in India are reported from:

Answer: Nagaur Group (Marwar Supergroup, Rajasthan)
Explanation: The Marwar Supergroup records terminal Precambrian to early Cambrian fauna.

Q10. Which event triggered the Cambrian explosion?

Answer: Increase in oxygen and biomineralization
Explanation: Rise of oxygen allowed diversification and hard-shelled organisms.

Q11. The Ediacaran biota was first discovered in:

Answer: Ediacara Hills, South Australia
Explanation: They were discovered in 1940s and gave name to the Ediacaran period.

Q12. Which is considered the oldest metazoan fossil?

Answer: Grypania spiralis (~1.6 Ga)
Explanation: A ribbon-like fossil interpreted as early eukaryotic multicellular algae.

Q13. Gunflint Chert (Canada) is famous for:

Answer: Microfossils (~2.0 Ga)
Explanation: It preserves well-defined Precambrian microorganisms.

Q14. What is the significance of the Bitter Springs Formation (Australia)?

Answer: Preserves early eukaryotic fossils (~850 Ma)
Explanation: One of the oldest fossiliferous formations with eukaryotic algae.

Q15. What is the main difference between Ediacaran and Cambrian fauna?
Answer: Ediacaran: soft-bodied → Cambrian: biomineralized skeletons
Explanation: The Cambrian explosion marks hard parts and complex ecosystems.

Q16. In India, which basin records Precambrian stromatolites besides Vindhyan?

Answer: Cuddapah Basin
Explanation: Stromatolite-rich carbonates are found in Cuddapah Supergroup.

Q17. Which supergroup in India records the Precambrian–Cambrian transition?

Answer: Marwar Supergroup (Rajasthan)
Explanation: Nagaur sandstone and carbonates contain early Cambrian fossils.

Q18. Which Indian location records Cloudina (small shelly fossil)?

Answer: Nagaur Group, Rajasthan
Explanation: Cloudina is an index fossil for terminal Precambrian worldwide.

Q19. What is the approximate age of the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary?

Answer: 541 million years ago
Explanation: Defined by GSSP at Fortune Head, Newfoundland.

Q20. What is unique about the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition?

Answer: Disappearance of Ediacaran fauna and rise of skeletal metazoans
Explanation: Represents one of the major biotic turnovers in Earth history.