Unit 7 - Topic 9 - Understanding Phylogeny

Front

Phylogeny

Back

The evolutionary history and relationship among species

Answer explanation

The term 'Phylogeny' specifically refers to the evolutionary history and relationships among species, making it distinct from the study of physiology, classification, or genetic makeup.

Front

Phylogeny is the study of the _______ among species.

Back

evolutionary history

Answer explanation

Phylogeny focuses on the evolutionary history of species, tracing their lineage and relationships over time. This makes 'evolutionary history' the correct choice, as it directly relates to the study of how species are connected through evolution.

Front

What is the study of classifying organisms and determining their evolutionary relationships called?

Back

Systematics

Answer explanation

The study of classifying organisms and determining their evolutionary relationships is called systematics. While taxonomy focuses on naming, systematics encompasses both classification and evolutionary connections.

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The hypothesis of evolutionary history is known as ________.

Back

Phylogenetics

Answer explanation

The hypothesis of evolutionary history is known as phylogenetics, which studies the evolutionary relationships among biological entities. Taxonomy and systematics are related but do not specifically refer to evolutionary history.

Front

Which of the following is NOT used by scientists to determine evolutionary relationships? Fossil records, DNA, Proteins, Weather patterns

Back

Weather patterns

Answer explanation

Scientists use fossil records, DNA, and proteins to determine evolutionary relationships. Weather patterns do not provide relevant information about the biological connections between species, making it the correct choice.

Front

To determine evolutionary relationships, scientists use ______.

Back

Fossil records

Answer explanation

Scientists use fossil records to determine evolutionary relationships as they provide evidence of past life forms and their changes over time, unlike weather patterns, astrological signs, or mythology, which do not offer biological insights.

Front

What is the primary purpose of phylogenetic trees?

Back

To show the evolutionary history of a group of organisms

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of phylogenetic trees is to show the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, illustrating how different species are related through common ancestors.

Front

Phylogenetic trees are similar to ______, except they show the amount of change over time measured by fossils.

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Cladograms

Answer explanation

Phylogenetic trees are similar to cladograms as both depict relationships among species. However, phylogenetic trees also illustrate the amount of evolutionary change over time, which is not shown in cladograms.

Front

What does each line in a cladogram represent?

Back

A lineage

Answer explanation

In a cladogram, each line represents a lineage, illustrating the evolutionary relationships between species. This shows how different species share common ancestors and diverge over time.

Front

In a cladogram, nodes represent ______.

Back

common ancestors

Answer explanation

In a cladogram, nodes represent common ancestors of the species depicted. Each node indicates a point where lineages diverged, highlighting evolutionary relationships.