a3.2 classification and cladistics Flashcards
1
Q
what is classification used to study
A
evolutionary relationships because of their immense diversity
2
Q
what is the basic assumption
A
all life on earth shares a common ancestor
3
Q
3 features of a cladogram
A
- root
- terminal branch
- node
4
Q
what does each branch point or node represent
A
hypothetical common ancestor
5
Q
what does the branches above a node represent
A
a clade
6
Q
molecular clock
A
give estimates of mutation rates
7
Q
factors that affect mutation rates [3]
A
- length of the generation time
- size of a population
- intensity of selective pressure
8
Q
what is used as the basis for constructing cladograms
A
base sequences of genes or amino acid sequences of proteins
