evolution of life on earth - exam 3

Question 1

the theory and practice of classifying biologic organisms and the study of the diversity of organisms and the relationships among them

Answer 1

taxonomy

Question 2

members of a species who can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Answer 2

biological species

Question 3

ancient species may be inferred from their preserved physical traits

Answer 3

paleontological species

Question 4

evolutionary history

Answer 4

phylogeny

Question 5

changes that occur within a species or population

Answer 5

microevolution

Question 6

evolution at the species level that can be used to differentiate higher taxonomic groups

Answer 6

macroevolution

Question 7

gradual, anagenetic evolutionary change

Answer 7

phyletic gradualism

Question 8

rise of a new species by a gradation of traits from ancestral species to descendant species

Answer 8

anagenesis

Question 9

species change rapidly during episodes of speciation, then remain stable

Answer 9

punctuated equilibrium

Question 10

rise of a new species by reproductive isolation and genetic divergence

Answer 10

cladogenesis

Question 11

classification based solely on phylogeny (shared evolutionary novelties)

Answer 11

cladistics

Question 12

shared derived characters

Answer 12

synamorphy

Question 13

shared primitive characters

Answer 13

synplesiomorphy

Question 14

a taxon that includes all descendants of a common ancestor

Answer 14

monophyletic group

Question 15

independent evolution to a very similar body form in distantly related lineages

Answer 15

convergence (homoplasy)