10.3 Phylogeny

Question 1

What is phylogeny?

Answer 1

The name given to the evolutionary relationships between organisms

Question 2

What are phylogenetic trees used for?

Answer 2

Representing the evolutionary relationships between organisms

Question 3

What does a node on a phylogenetic tree represent?

Answer 3

A common ancestor before two species mutated and split off

Question 4

What do the tips of branches of a phylogenetic tree represent

Answer 4

When the species went extinct / whether or not they are still alive today

Question 5

How are phylogenetic trees produced?

Answer 5

By looking at similarities and differences in species’ physical characteristics and genetic makeup

Question 6

What is taxonomy?

Answer 6

The science of classifying organisms

Question 7

What are the advantages of phylogenetic classification?

Answer 7

-Can be done without reference to Linnaean classification
-Phylogeny produces a continuous tree, and does not require specific taxonomical groups
-Phylogenetic trees demonstrate which families have been around for what periods of time.