During the Cambrian explosion a. the dinosaurs were killed. b. all the carbon that is now here on Earth was produced. c. biodiversity increased significantly. d. a lot of carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere.

The Cambrian Explosion is famous for its remarkable increase in biodiversity. This event, which happened around 541 million years ago, saw an unprecedented rise in the number of different species on Earth. Suddenly, the fossil record shows a wide variety of life forms including many that are predecessors to modern species. This increase in species diversity is often called the 'Cambrian radiation'.
During the Cambrian period, the oceans became teeming with complex life forms like arthropods, mollusks, and early vertebrates. Scientists believe that several factors led to this explosion of life, such as higher oxygen levels, the evolution of predation, and changes in ocean chemistry.

• Higher oxygen levels might have supported larger and more complex organisms.
• The evolution of predation could have led to an evolutionary arms race, driving the development of new species.
• Changes in ocean chemistry might have provided new habitats and resources.

The Cambrian Explosion set the stage for the vast array of life forms we see today. It's a key example of how quickly biodiversity can increase on our planet.

Prehistoric life refers to all living organisms that existed on Earth before recorded history. The Cambrian Explosion is one of the most significant events in the history of prehistoric life. Before this period, most life forms were simple, single-celled organisms or small multicellular organisms like sponges and algae.
With the Cambrian Explosion, however, life's complexity increased dramatically. The fossil record from this time reveals a variety of new species with hard shells and exoskeletons. These developments allowed for better fossilization, which is why we have a rich record of this period.
This event saw the emergence of many of the major groups of animals that still exist today. Examples include:

• Trilobites – an extinct group of marine arthropods.
• Anomalocaris – a large predatory arthropod.
• Hallucigenia – a bizarre creature with spines and tentacles.

The Cambrian Explosion dramatically reshaped the makeup of life on Earth and provided a foundation for future evolutionary pathways.

The fossil record is a key source of information for understanding prehistoric life and events like the Cambrian Explosion. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms embedded in rocks. They provide crucial evidence for studying the history of life on Earth.
During the Cambrian period, the appearance of hard-bodied organisms greatly improved the fossil record. Before this, most organisms were soft-bodied and did not fossilize well. The development of hard shells and exoskeletons meant that more organisms could be fossilized after death.

• The fossil record from the Cambrian Explosion includes well-preserved specimens of various new species.
• These fossils help scientists reconstruct the appearance and lifestyle of ancient creatures.
• Studying these fossils also offers insights into the environmental conditions of that time.

Key fossil sites from this period include the Burgess Shale in Canada and the Chengjiang fossil site in China. These locations are rich in well-preserved fossils, providing a detailed snapshot of life during the Cambrian Explosion.