Last Minute Lecture

Fossils, Evolution, and the Tree of Life — Understanding Ancient Life from Earth’s Rock Record | Interlude E from Earth: Portrait of a Planet How do fossils form, and what do they teach us about life’s journey on Earth? In Interlude E of Earth: Portrait of a Planet , Stephen Marshak guides us through the science of fossils—how they preserve the story of evolution, extinction, and the branching tree of life. For a visual summary and expert breakdown, watch the chapter video on YouTube or read on for an in-depth blog summary. What Are Fossils and How Do They Form? Body Fossils: Remains of organisms such as bones, shells, and teeth that have been preserved in rock. Trace Fossils: Evidence of life’s activity—footprints, burrows, coprolites, and feeding marks. Chemical Fossils: Biomarkers and isotopic signatures in rocks, revealing the presence and metabolism of ancient life. Fossilization Processes: Includes rapid burial, mineral replacement, permineralization, ca...

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life — Evolutionary History, Classification, and Cladistics Explained | Chapter 26 of Campbell Biology Welcome to Last Minute Lecture! In this guide, we unravel the story of life's evolutionary history and the tools scientists use to classify species, as outlined in Chapter 26 of Campbell Biology . Phylogeny and systematics are crucial for understanding biological diversity and the relationships that connect all living things. Watch the full video summary below and subscribe for more structured, chapter-by-chapter biology study guides! Introduction: Understanding Phylogeny and Systematics Phylogeny is the evolutionary history of species, depicting how they are related through common ancestry. Systematics is the science of classifying organisms based on these relationships, helping us organize biological diversity into a meaningful framework. Classification Systems: From Linnaeus to the Three-Domain Model Binomial Nomenclature: Develope...