Chapter Objectives

Chapter 13 (cont., Material for final exam)

How Biological Diversity Evolves

1.  Describe the processes included in the study of macroevolution.  Distinguish between non-branching and branching evolution.

2.  Define the biological species concept.  Explain its limitations when applied to all types of living organisms.

3.  Describe the punctuated equilibrium model of evolution.  Relate a "sudden" geological appearance to our "human" sense of time.

4.  Explain how the formation an break up of the supercontinent Pangaea affected the evolution of life on Earth.

5.  Describe the theories to explain the mass extinction 65 million years ago and explain why mass extinctions can be seen as times of great opportunity.