Classification and phylogeny 4.3.4

Question 1

Describe natural classification (3 ways)

Answer 1

• Used many characteristics
• Reflects evolutionary relationships
• Evidence used from DNA sequences and amino acid sequences

Question 2

Describe artificial classification (3 points)

Answer 2

• Based on only a few characteristics
• Does not reflect evolutionary relationships
• Provides limited information

Question 3

Define phylogeny

Answer 3

Evolutionary relationships between organisms. It looks at how closely organisms are related.

Question 4

Define monophyletic

Answer 4

Belong to the same phylogenetic group (e.g. humans and gorillas)

Question 5

What is the purpose of a phylogenetic tree?

Answer 5

• It takes into account ancestry and shows how organisms are related to each other through time; each line traces back to the common ancestor
• When organisms diverged/separated from one another and evolved into separate groups.
• Shows groups that are more closely related.