CHAT GPT Practice Questions CH 20 Phylogeny Flashcards
Who is considered the “Father of Modern Taxonomy”m abd what system did he develop?
-Carolus Linnaeus is considered the “Father of Modern Taxonomy.”
-He developed the binomial nomenclature system, which is the foundation of modern biological classification.
What are the two components of a species name in binomial nomenclature? Give an example
The two components of a species name in binomial nomenclature are the Genus name (capitalized)
-and the second part being the species epithet (NO capitalization).
Why is binomial nomenclature important in scientific communication?
Binomial nomenclature is important because it allows scientists around the world to refer to species in a consistent manner, avoiding the issues that arise from local or common names.
List the taxonomic ranks in order from the most inclusive (broad) to the most specific (narrow).
The taxonomic ranks in order from the most inclusive to the most specific are: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Given the following classification, identify the correct taxonomic rank: Canis lupus belongs to the family Canidae. What is the genus?
In the classification Canis lupus (the gray wolf), the genus is Canis.
Define a phylogenetic tree and explain its significance in understanding evolutionary relationships.
-A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms.
-It is significant because it helps scientists understand how species are related through common ancestry.
What does a branch point (node) represent in a phylogenetic tree?
A branch point (node) on a phylogenetic tree
-represents the most recent common ancestor of the descendant groups that split from that point.
Define the following terms: basal taxon, sister taxa, and clade.
Basal Taxon: The lineage that diverges early in the history of the group and lies on a branch that originates near the common ancestor of the group.
Sister Taxa: Groups of organisms that share an immediate common ancestor and are each other’s closest relatives.
Clade: A group of organisms that includes a single common ancestor and all of its descendants.
What is the difference between an outgroup and an ingroup in phylogenetic analysis?
-Outgroup: A species or group of species that diverged before the lineage containing the group of species being studied (ingroup).
-Ingroup: The group of species that is being studied and compared within a phylogenetic analysis.
Provide an example of homologous traits and explain their evolutionary significance.
An example of homologous traits is the forelimbs of humans, bats, and whales. These structures have similar underlying anatomy inherited from a common ancestor.
Compare and contrast homologous and analogous traits with examples.
-Homologous traits: Traits that are similar due to shared ancestry (e.g., vertebrate forelimbs).
-Analogous traits: Traits that are similar due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry (e.g., wings of birds and insects).
What is the difference between ancestral and derived characteristics? Provide examples of each.
-Ancestral characteristics are traits that were present in the common ancestor of a group (e.g., vertebral column in vertebrates).
-Derived characteristics are traits that are present in a species but not in its last common ancestor (e.g., feathers in birds).
How can recognizing ancestral and derived characteristics help in interpreting a phylogeny?
Recognizing ancestral and derived characteristics
-helps in determining the evolutionary relationships among species, allowing scientists to map out the sequence of evolutionary changes in a phylogeny.
Explain the difference between monophyletic, paraphyletic, and polyphyletic clades.
-Monophyletic Clade: Includes a single common ancestor and all its descendants (e.g., all mammals).
-Paraphyletic Clade: Includes a common ancestor but not all its descendants (e.g., reptiles excluding birds).
-Polyphyletic Clade: Does not include the most recent common ancestor of all members (e.g., grouping of flying animals like bats and birds).
What is a synapomorphy, and why is it important in cladistics?
A synapomorphy is a shared, derived character that is unique to a particular clade. It is important because it defines clades and helps identify evolutionary relationships within a phylogenetic tree.
