In biological and earth sciences, which branch of study deals specifically with the scientific study and interpretation of fossils of ancient life forms?

Introduction / Context:
Fossils provide direct evidence of organisms that lived in the past and help scientists reconstruct the history of life on the Earth. Different scientific disciplines focus on behaviour, causes of disease, human societies, or ancient life. This question checks whether you can correctly identify the branch of science that is devoted specifically to the study and interpretation of fossils and the past life they represent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The key subject is the study of fossils of ancient life forms.
• The options are ethology, etiology, anthropology, and palaeontology.
• We assume standard definitions used in biology and earth science.

Concept / Approach:
Scientific terms are often derived from Greek or Latin roots. The term palaeontology combines "palaeo", meaning ancient, and "ontology", referring to the study of being or life forms. Therefore, palaeontology is concerned with ancient life. Ethology is the study of animal behaviour, etiology is the study of causes (often of disease), and anthropology focuses on humans, especially their societies and cultures. The approach is to match each term with its correct meaning and select the one that clearly refers to fossil study.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider ethology. It deals with animal behaviour and how animals interact with each other and with their environment, usually in the present, not primarily with fossils. Step 2: Consider etiology. This term is widely used in medicine and biology to mean the study of causes, particularly the causes of diseases, not the study of fossils. Step 3: Consider anthropology. Anthropology deals with humans, their evolution, cultures, and societies. Although some anthropologists may use fossils, the term does not specifically mean the study of all fossils. Step 4: Palaeontology is defined as the scientific study of life in the geological past through fossils, including plants, animals, and micro organisms preserved in rocks and sediments. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is palaeontology.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on earth science and biology typically introduce palaeontology when discussing geological time scales and fossil records. They describe how palaeontologists use fossils to understand evolution, extinction events, and changes in climate and environment. The definitions of ethology, etiology, and anthropology in dictionaries and subject glossaries clearly show that none of these terms is specifically focused on fossils. This comparison confirms that palaeontology is the correct branch for fossil study.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Ethology: Focuses on behaviour of animals, often observed directly in the field or laboratory, not primarily on fossil remains.
• Etiology: Concerned with the causes of conditions or events, especially diseases, rather than the description and analysis of fossilised remains.
• Anthropology: Deals with humans and human societies; while it can use fossil evidence for human evolution, it is not the general science of all fossils.

Common Pitfalls:
A common confusion arises from the similar sounding terms ethology and etiology, which may distract from the correct choice. Another pitfall is to associate anthropology with all ancient remains and fossils just because it deals with human origins, but the definition in this question is broader and covers fossils of all life forms. To avoid mistakes, focus on the root "palaeo" for ancient and link palaeontology directly with the fossil record of ancient life.

Final Answer:
The study of fossils of ancient life forms is called palaeontology.