1.3 - Phylogeny

Question 1

What is the function and importance of phylogeny? (2)

Answer 1

1. Represents evolutionary relationships
2. Essential to understanding evolution and physiological processes in living organisms

Question 2

Describe Homologous/Analogous traits

Answer 2

Homologous - emerged due to common ancestry

Analogous - convergent evolution leads to shared traits due to independent response to similar selective pressure

Question 3

What is a clade?

Answer 3

Monophyletic group of organisms that includes ancestor and all of its descendants

Question 4

What does paraphyletic mean?

Answer 4

Groups that are not true clades (don’t include all descendants of their common ancestor)

Question 5

How is Phylogeny reconstructed? (2)

Answer 5

1. Direct evidence from fossils
2. Inference from comparative anatomy and genomics