Phylogeny & Morphology

Question 1

Taxon

Answer 1

Named group of organisms

Question 2

Homologous Characters

Answer 2

Characters inherited from a common ancestor, arise from the same structure, and originate from the same sub-embryonic germ layer but may not share a similar function or appearance

Question 3

Convergent Evolution

Answer 3

Similar characters that are not the result of inheritance from a common ancestor but evolved due to similar selection pressures

Question 4

Immediate Function

Answer 4

The first independent function of a feature

Question 5

Biological Role

Answer 5

Function that involves immediate function(s)

Question 6

Homology: Embryonic Origin

Answer 6

Structures that arise from the same precise embryonic origin are most likely homologous

Question 7

Phylogenetic Tree

Answer 7

Graphical representation of the hypothesis of the evolutionary history among taxa

Question 8

Node

Answer 8

Represents the common ancestor of 2 lineages

Question 9

Cladogram

Answer 9

Shows the branching history of lineages

Question 10

Divergent Evolution

Answer 10

Homologous characters that no longer appear similar due to different selection pressures and can also lead to secondary loss

Question 11

Secondary Loss

Answer 11

When a character that was once present in an ancestor is lost

Question 12

Ancestral (Plesiomorphic) Character State

Answer 12

Trait that is shared by a group of organisms

Question 13

Derived (Apomorphic) Character State

Answer 13

New trait that is unique to a smaller group of organisms

Question 14

Synapomorphy

Answer 14

Derived character shared by two or more taxa and their most recent ancestor

Question 15

Monophyletic Group (Clade)

Answer 15

Group consisting of an ancestor and all of its descendants