Which era followed the Paleozoic Era in the geological time scale?

The correct answer is the Mesozoic Era, which is known as the "Age of Reptiles" and is characterized by the dominance of dinosaurs, the emergence of mammals, and significant developments in plant life, particularly the rise of flowering plants. It followed the Paleozoic Era, which had seen a major diversification of marine life and the colonization of land by plants and animals. The boundary between these two eras is marked by one of the largest mass extinctions in Earth's history, which occurred about 252 million years ago at the end of the Permian Period, the last period of the Paleozoic. This transition laid the groundwork for the evolutionary advancements that occurred in the Mesozoic, including the adaptation of various species to terrestrial life and changes in ecological dynamics. Recognizing the Mesozoic as the successor to the Paleozoic highlights the significant shifts in both biological diversity and environmental conditions on Earth during this critical transition in geological history.