1. Classification

Question 1

What is the difference between taxonomy and systematics?

Answer 1

• taxonomy is involved in the classification and naming of organisms
• systematics is involved in the determination of evolutionary relationships of organisms

• Taxonomy is considered to be a branch of systematics

Question 2

What are type specimens?

Answer 2

• Physical samples deposited in places that other people can access for comparisons
• not necessarily the best example of the species

Question 3

Monophyletic

Answer 3

A single common ancestor for all members in that group not shared with any other species

Question 4

Paraphyletic

Answer 4

Descended from a common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group, but not including all the descendant groups

Question 5

Polyphyletic

Answer 5

Derived from more than one common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group and therefore not suitable for placing in the same taxon.

Question 6

What is cladistics?

Answer 6

Infers evolutionary relationships on the basis of ancestral and derived traits

Question 7

2 types of traits

Answer 7

Homologous

Analogous

Question 8

Homologous traits

Answer 8

• have a common origin (common ancestor) but diverged due to different selection pressures
• similar structure / different function

Question 9

Analogous traits

Answer 9

• may result from convergence (do not share common ancestors)
• evolved due to similar selection pressures
• different structures/ similar function

Question 10

What is parsimony?

Answer 10

The concept of producing an outcome with the least number of steps required.