Invertebrate Chordates and the Origin of Vertebrates |
1. |
Distinguish between the phyla of deuterostomes. |
2. |
Describe the four derived traits that define the phylum Chordata. |
3. |
Distinguish among the three subphyla of the phylum Chordata and give examples of each. |
4. |
Discuss the evidence for and against Garstang’s hypothesis that vertebrates had a tunicate-like ancestor. |
5. |
Explain what lancelets suggest about the evolution of the chordate brain. |
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Craniates Are Chordates with a Head |
6. |
Discuss the importance of genetic duplication in chordate evolution. |
7. |
Explain the fate of the neural crest cells in craniate development. |
8. |
Explain what Haikouella and Haikouichthys tell us about craniate evolution. |
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Vertebrates Are Craniates with a Backbone |
9. |
Describe the way of life and unique characters of the lamprey. |
10. |
Describe conodonts, and explain why they are considered vertebrates. |
11. |
Describe the trends in mineralized structures in early vertebrates. |
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Gnathostomes Are Vertebrates with Jaws |
12. |
Explain one hypothesis for the evolution of the jaws of gnathostomes. |
13. |
List the shared, derived characters that characterize gnathostomes. |
14. |
Describe the evidence that suggests that the loss of bone in Chondrichthyes is a derived feature. |
15. |
Describe the features of sharks that are adaptive for their active, predatory lifestyle. |
16. |
Describe and distinguish between Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes, noting the main traits of each group. |
17. |
Identify and describe the main subgroups of Osteichthyes. |
18. |
Name the three living lineages of lobe-fins. |
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Tetrapods Are Gnathostomes with Limbs and Feet |
19. |
Define and distinguish between gnathostomes, tetrapods, and amniotes. |
20. |
Explain what Acanthostega suggests about the origin of tetrapods. |
21. |
Describe the common traits of amphibians and distinguish among the three orders of living amphibians. |
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Amniotes Have Amniotic Eggs |
22. |
Describe an amniotic egg and explain its significance in the evolution of reptiles and mammals. |
23. |
Explain why the reptile clade includes birds. |
24. |
Describe a number of reptile features that are adaptive for life on land. |
25. |
Explain why non-bird reptiles should be called “ectothermic” rather than “cold-blooded.” |
26. |
Define and describe the parareptiles. |
27. |
Distinguish between the lepidosaurs and the archosaurs. |
28. |
Compare the interpretations of dinosaurs as ectotherms or endotherms. |
29. |
Describe the specialized adaptations of snakes that make them successful predators. |
30. |
List the modifications of birds that are adaptive for flight. |
31. |
Summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that birds evolved from theropod dinosaur ancestors. |
32. |
Explain the significance of Archaeopteryx. |
33. |
Describe the characteristic derived characters of mammals. |
34. |
Describe the evolutionary origin of mammals. |
35. |
Distinguish among monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian mammals. |
36. |
Describe the adaptive radiation of mammals during the Cretaceous and early Tertiary periods. |
37. |
Compare and contrast the four main evolutionary clades of eutherian mammals. |
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Primates and the Evolution of Homo sapiens |
38. |
Describe the general characteristics of primates. Note in particular the features associated with an arboreal existence. |
39. |
Distinguish between the two subgroups of primates and describe their early evolutionary relationship. |
40. |
Distinguish between hominoid and hominid. |
41. |
Explain what Sahelanthropus tells us about hominid evolution. |
42. |
Describe the evolution of Homo sapiens from australopith ancestors. Clarify the order in which distinctive human traits aro |