Age of fossils in the post was generally determined by radio-carbon method and other methods involve…

Age of fossils in the post was generally determined by radio-carbon method and other methods involve radioactive elements found the rocks. More precise methods, which were used recently and led to the revision of the evolutionary periods far different groups of organisms, includes:
  1. study of carbohydrates or proteins in fossils
  2. study of the conditions of fossilization
  3. electron spin resonance (ESR) and fossil DNA
  4. study of carbohydrates / proteins in rocks.

Solution

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measures number of charges occupying deep traps in crystal band gap. The basic principle of ESR is same as those for luminescence i.e., electrons become trapped and stored as a result of ionising radiations e.g., Dating of tooth enamel.

Asked in: NEET 2004

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