Read Changes on Earth and Changes in Life. Explain how changes in Earth’s systems affected the growth of life on Earth. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.To understand how changes in Earth's systems affected the growth of life on Earth, we can look at several key factors, including geological, atmospheric, and climate changes. Each of these systems interact with each other, creating conditions that either promote or hinder the development and diversity of life.

Question

Geological changes: The movement of tectonic plates has shaped the continents and oceans, altering habitats, and creating connections, or barriers, between populations of organisms. For example, the formation of mountain ranges can affect climates on either side and result in speciation as species adapt to their respective environment.
Atmospheric composition: Changes in the atmosphere, specifically the levels of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, have significantly influenced the types of organisms that can thrive. The Great Oxygenation Event, for instance, was a period when oxygen levels increased drastically due to photosynthetic cyanobacteria, paving the way for aerobic organisms and laying the groundwork for the evolution of complex life forms.
Climatic conditions: 

Answer 1

Climatic conditions have played a crucial role in the evolution and diversification of life on Earth. As the Earth's climate has changed—through periods of warming and cooling, ice ages, and shifts in precipitation patterns—so too have the habitats available for living organisms. For example, during the Ice Ages, the expansion of glaciers and colder temperatures affected species distribution and survival, leading to adaptations that sometimes resulted in new species over time.

These climatic changes can also cause shifts in ecosystems, promoting different types of flora and fauna to thrive in response to new conditions. For instance, warmer temperatures during the Mesozoic Era facilitated the rise of dinosaurs and the dominance of reptiles, while the subsequent cooling periods led to the proliferation of mammals and birds.

In summary, geological changes such as tectonic movements have physically altered the landscape and driven species to adapt or evolve, atmospheric changes, particularly in gas compositions, have influenced which life forms could survive, and shifting climatic conditions have created new environments for organisms to thrive or perish. The interplay of these factors has been vital in shaping the complex tapestry of life on our planet.