Front

What is the evolutionary relationship between dolphins and hippopotamuses?

Back

Molecular data indicates that hippopotamuses are the closest living relatives of dolphins.

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

Front

What derived trait was the earliest to appear among plant groups?

Back

Stomata.

Front

What are stomata?

Back

Stomata are small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange (CO2 in, O2 out) during photosynthesis.

Front

How do molecular data contribute to understanding evolutionary relationships?

Back

Molecular data, such as DNA sequences, provide insights into the genetic similarities and differences between species, helping to clarify their evolutionary relationships.

Front

What is the significance of derived traits in evolutionary biology?

Back

Derived traits are characteristics that evolved in a particular lineage and can be used to determine evolutionary relationships among species.

Front

What is the role of cladistics in taxonomy?

Back

Cladistics is a method of classifying species based on common ancestry and the branching patterns of evolution.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Back

Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.

Front

What is convergent evolution?

Back

Convergent evolution is the process where organisms from different evolutionary backgrounds develop similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental pressures.

Front

What are the main groups of land plants?

Back

The main groups of land plants include bryophytes (mosses), pteridophytes (ferns), gymnosperms (conifers), and angiosperms (flowering plants).