1.How do biologists define modern "Biological Species''? How do scientists define "adaptation"? Describe the relationship between anatomical form and function.
2.What is empirical science? Be able to describe how scientists employ the scientific method to "do" science. What is a scientific hypothesis? A theory? What are some of the social ramifications for cultural belief systems of the dissemination of scientifically derived knowledge into the "folk" knowledge base?
3. What are the advantages of scientific investigation over religious revelation and conviction in trying to understand the natural world? What data support the "supernatural creationism" view of "origins"?
4. Who was Charles Darwin? How did he explain patterns of biological adaption?
5. Outline Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Describe the empirical data that Darwin used to support it. What were his conclusions regarding the origin of species? Why was time so important to his model? How does Darwin's model help to explain the adaptions and the ecological patterns of each species?
6. Be able to list and discuss the diagnostic characteristics and evolutionary trends observed among the members of the Order Primates.
7. Be able to list and discuss the typical characteristic of tropical habitats: a. tropical rainforest b. tropical woodland c. tropical savanna d. gallery forest
8. Be able to recognize the following kinds of extant primates referred to as stresirhines: loris/potto, bushbaby or galago, mouse lumr, ringtail lemur, sifaka, indri, aye aye
9. Be able to recognize the following kinds of extant primates referred to as Haplorhines: including tarsiers plus
New World Monkeys: marmoset, squirrel monkey, capuchin, spider monkey, howler monkey
Old World Monkey: colobus monkey, guenon, baboon, macaque
Apes: Gibbon, orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo
10. Be familiar with the anatomical characteristics of mammals. Be ware of the different reproductive patterns of mammals, including monotremes, marsupials, placentals
11. Know the various anatomical/osteological traits associated with various groups of mammals that have evolved from small, plantigrade ancestors to become larger bodied digitigrade cursorial species (like big cats, hyaenas, dog-like predators) and unguligrade cursorial species (antelope, deer, warthogs, zebra, etc) The term cursorial refers to forms that have evolved long legs for running.
12. Know the typical adaptations found in the locomotor systems of graviportal mammals like elephants, mastodonts, rhinos, etc.