Topic 36: Phylogenies

Question 1

What is a phylogeny? What is a phylogenetic tree?

Answer 1

Phylogeny is the evolutionary history and relationship of an organism or group of organisms.
Phylogenetic tree is a diagram that reflects evolutionary relationships among organisms or groups of organisms.

Question 2

What are the three domains of life?

Answer 2

The three Domains of Life:
Bacteria
Archea
Eukarya

Question 3

List the levels of classification in order.

Answer 3

Levels of Classification:
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Subspecies

Question 4

Define homologous and analogous features. What are some examples of each? Which are used to make a phylogenetic trees?

Answer 4

Homologous features share similar structures but different functions and sharing a common ancestor.
Analogous features: Different structures but similar functions and do not share a common acncestor.

Examples:
Homologus: Human arm, cat leg, whale fin, and bat wing. They all share similar anatomy but differ in function.
Analagous: Sharks fin, penguins wing, and dolphins flipper all share similar function: to swim but their anatomy is very different.

Homology is used to make a phylogenetic tree because they share a common ancestor.

Question 5

What is a convergent evolution? Explain why it happens

Answer 5

Convergent evolotution where similar traits evolve independently in species that do not share a recent common ancestry.

Convergent evolution occur over large periods of time. As we know natural selection acts on individual organsims, which can then shape an entire organism.

Question 6

Practice analyzing phylogenetic trees. Be able to interpret the relationships between organisms/groups represented on the tree, identify most recent common ancestors and interpret homologous feature.