Final answer:
The Mesozoic era comprises the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, known for the dominance of dinosaurs and significant geological and climatic changes due to the breakup of Pangaea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mesozoic era consists of three geologic periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. The Triassic period is the first and shortest of the Mesozoic era, spanning between the end of the Permian Period 251.9 million years ago (Ma) and the beginning of the Jurassic Period 201.3 Ma. Following the Triassic, the Jurassic period lasted 56 million years up to the onset of the Cretaceous Period 145 Ma. The Cretaceous period is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era, which is also the longest, from about 145 Ma to 66 Ma.
The Mesozoic is often referred to as the 'Age of Reptiles' due to the dominance of dinosaurs, which lasted until the end of the Cretaceous. The era began with the supercontinent Pangaea and saw the continents drift apart, changing climates and volcanic activity.