2.1 Chapter Objectives

Our goal for this chapter is for you to appreciate the fundamental tenets of evolution, and how evolutionary thinking frames much of our understanding of biology. By the end of this chapter and our in-class discussion, you will be able to:

1. Define the following terms:
   • evolution
   • fossils
   • fossil record
   • natural selection
   • petrifaction
   • homologies
   • shared derived traits
   • analogies
   • convergent evolution
   • vestigial traits
   • biogeography
   • continental drift
   • mutation
   • gene flow
   • adaptation
   • fitness
   • sexual selection
   • genetic drift
   • founder effect
   • phylogeny
2. Describe evolution and how it occurs.
3. Explain, using specific examples, several lines of evidence suggesting that evolution has occurred.
4. Articulate conditions that must be met for a population to evolve by natural selection.
5. Describe how evolutionary mechanisms can result in the generation of new species.
6. Cite evidence human evolution is ongoing.