Final answer:
The Jurassic Period, occurring from 200 to 145 million years ago, is part of the Mesozoic Era and is known as the Age of Reptiles. It was a time when dinosaurs dominated, and significant evolutionary developments took place, such as the emergence of the earliest birds and mammals. The periods before and after the Jurassic are Triassic and Cretaceous, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Jurassic Period
The Jurassic Period is a geologic timeframe that began around 200 million years ago (Ma) and ended approximately 145 Ma, making it the middle period of the Mesozoic Era. This epoch is notably recognized as the Age of Reptiles. It's celebrated as a time when dinosaurs flourished, and significant evolutionary milestones occurred, such as the appearance of the earliest birds like Archaeopteryx and the evolution of the major groups of mammals. During the Jurassic, flowering plants emerged, and the continents continued their widening separation, accompanied by marked volcanic activity.
Cretaceous and Triassic Periods
Flanking the Jurassic are the Triassic and Cretaceous periods. The Triassic, occurring from about 251.9 to 201.3 Ma, saw the first dinosaurs, and ended with a mass extinction event leading into the Jurassic. Following the Jurassic, the Cretaceous period lasted from about 145 to 66 Ma. It holds the record as the longest period of the Mesozoic Era and saw the evolution of iconic dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus rex, although T. rex appeared towards the end of the Cretaceous, around 70.6 Ma.