Final answer:
The term Anthropocene refers to the current geological period characterized by significant human impact on Earth's climate and ecosystems. The correct answer is C, indicating the human-dominated era, distinct from past periods such as the dinosaur-dominated Mesozoic era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Anthropocene refers to the most recent period in Earth's history when human activities have had a significant global impact on the planet's climate and ecosystems. The question provided by the student is C. When humans started to dominate the planet. Although the term is not officially recognized as a geological epoch yet, it is widely used to denote the time period starting from the industrial revolution onwards where humans have become the main drivers of environmental change.
The large impact that occurred 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period resulted in a mass extinction, famously noted for the disappearance of dinosaurs. This event allowed for the rise of mammals and ultimately led to the conditions suitable for human evolution. The Anthropocene is highly distinct from the Mesozoic era, often referred to as the "Age of Reptiles", where dinosaurs were the dominant life forms on Earth. The proposed Anthropocene epoch underscores the profound effects humans exert on the environment, contrasting with the eras dominated by other organisms, such as dinosaurs in the past.