Phylogeny Flashcards
What is phylogenetic classification?
Classifying organisms on the basis of descent from a common ancestor
What is phylogeny?
Evolutionary relationships between organims
What is phylogeny used for?
To conform which group a particular organism belongs to through their evolutionary relationships
How are evolutionary relationships worked out?
Using differences in DNA, RNA and protein structures
What are the ways of deciding phylogenetic groups?
Morphology (structures), DNA and RNA structures, computer analysis and similarities grouped together which may challenge or reinforce classifications
What does phylogenetic classification focus on?
Evolution, using both physical similarities/difficulties and DNA/RNA and protein data to work out relationships
What does phylogeny not distinguish between?
Extinct and extant species
What is a monophyletic group?
The smallest group or organism that share a common ancestor
What do phylogenetic trees show?
How different species have evolved from a common ancestor
What can phylogenetic trees indicate?
How long ago taxa diverged from a common ancestor
What can you not use phylogenetic trees for?
Exactly how far back an individual species evolved, unless a timeline is present
How are extinct species represented?
The line doesn’t extend to the top where the present day species lie
What are the tips of branches in phylogenetic trees?
Represents groups of descendent organisms usually at species level
What do the nodes of phylogenetic trees represent?
A common ancestor
What do sister groups of phylogenetic trees show?
Two descendants that branch from the same node
