Title: Weekly overview
Course: BIO-182 RTZ

This week, we begin our survey of the diversity of life.

Chapter 25 provides an overview of the changes in geology, climate, and life forms that characterize Earth’s history.

- The chapter begins with an overview of Earth’s geological history and details methods used to date ancient rocks  - Chp 25.1 – skim this section.
- Next, the authors describe continental drift and major changes in Earth’s climate over time – Chp 25.2 – read this section thoroughly.
- The chapter ends with coverage of the fossil record (its strengths and limitations) and major patterns in the history of life, including origins, radiations, and extinctions of major groups –Chp 25.3 – read this section thoroughly.

Chapter 26 examines the evolution and diversity of the prokaryotic world and viruses.

- The chapter begins with a discussion of the three domains of life and how they came to diverge - Chp 26.1 - read this section(excluding pages 529 to 530).
- Next, the general biology of bacteria is presented,followed by prokaryotic phylogeny and the major domains of Bacteria and Archaea - Chp 26.2 - read focusing on discussion of endospores, cyanobacteria, and methanogens (pg 536); skim the rest.
- The impact of prokaryotes on the environment is covered - Chp 26.3 - read this section thoroughly.
- The chapter ends with a discussion of the evolutionary origin and diversity of viruses - Chp 26.4 - read this section thoroughly.

Interesting and potentially helpful websites:

- http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/history_of_the_earth : informational, nice succinct information. Look for 'geologic time periods.' Click on each thumbnail and get more information on each epoch. Of special interest, section on geologic information (developed or featuring the work of NAU's own Dr. Ron Blakeley); dominant life forms; causes of major extinction events; and representative fossils.
- www.nature.com/scitable - search "the origin of viruses" to access a great article on the subject.
- www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/   - go to "online exhibits" (like a virtual museum exhibit). Select
  - history of life through time
  - tour of geologic time
  - OR search "alllife/viruses.html" for information on viruses

Weekly Activities:

- Quiz (to be posted Friday evening, due Monday 11:45pm)
- Lab - in-class activities include Ribbon of Life & Origin of Multicellularity (to be posted no later than Saturday evening)
- "Lecture" notes to be posted later. Be proactive! Read suggested textbook sections, answer questions at end of chapters, visit a few websites, and take notes while you wait for lecture notes to be posted.

Have a great week and I'll see y'all Tuesday!