Chapter Objectives

1. Explain the importance of the fossil record to the study of evolution
2. Describe how fossils form
3. Distinguish between relative dating and absolute dating
4. Explain how isotopes can be used in absolute dating
5. Explain how continental drift may have played a role in the history of life
6. Describe how radiation into new adaptive zones could result in macroevolutionary change
7. Explain how mass extinctions could occur and affect evolution of surviving forms
8. List the major taxonomic categories from the most to least inclusive
9. Distinguish between homologous and analogous structures
10. Describe 3 techniques used in molecular systematics and explain what information each provides
11. Distinguish between a monophyletic and a polyphyletic group and explain what is meant by a natural taxon
12. Describe the contributions of phenetics and cladistics to phylogenetic systematics

Chapter Terms:

Chapter Outline Framework

1. The Fossil Record and Geologic Time
   1. Sedimentary rocks are the richest source of fossils
   2. Paleontologists use a variety of methods to date fossils
   3. The fossil record is a substantial but incomplete chronicle of evolutionary history
   4. Phylogeny has a biogeographical basis in continental drift
   5. The history of life is punctuated by mass extinction followed by adaptive radiation of the survivors
2. Phylogeny and Systematics
   1. Taxonomy employs a hierarchical system of classification
   2. The branching pattern of a phylogenetic tree represents the taxonomic hierarchy
   3. Determining monophyletic taxa is a key to classifying organisms according to their evolutionary history
   4. Molecular biology provides powerful new tools for systematics
   5. The search for fossilized DNA continues despite recent setbacks
3. The Science of Phylogenetic Systematics
   1. Phenetics increased the objectivity of systematic analysis
   2. Cladistic analysis uses novel homologies to define branchpoints on phylogenetic trees
   3. Phylogenetic systematics relies on both morphology and molecules

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