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BIO 1020 Exam #3 Study Guide – Fungi, Animal Evolution, and Phylogeny

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Q10. Which tree depicts all of the currently recognized major groups of fungi?

Background

Topic: Fungal Phylogeny

This question tests your understanding of the evolutionary relationships among the major groups of fungi. You need to recognize the main fungal clades and how they are represented in phylogenetic trees.

Key Terms and Concepts:

  • Phylogenetic tree: A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among organisms.

  • Major fungal groups: Chytrids, Zygomycetes, Glomeromycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Microsporidians.

Four phylogenetic trees showing relationships among fungal groups

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Examine each tree (I–IV) and identify which fungal groups are present in each.

  2. Recall the currently recognized major groups of fungi: Chytrids, Zygomycetes, Glomeromycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Microsporidians.

  3. Check if all these groups are represented as separate branches in the tree.

  4. Eliminate any tree that is missing one or more of these groups or combines them incorrectly.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q11. Which tree depicts the closest relationship between zygomycetes and chytrids?

Background

Topic: Fungal Evolutionary Relationships

This question asks you to interpret phylogenetic trees to determine which one shows zygomycetes and chytrids as most closely related.

Key Terms and Concepts:

  • Closest relationship: Two groups that share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with any other group.

  • Branching point: The node where two lineages diverge.

Four phylogenetic trees showing relationships among fungal groups

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Look at each tree and find the branches for zygomycetes and chytrids.

  2. Identify which tree shows these two groups branching from the same node or as sister taxa.

  3. Compare the position of other groups to confirm the relationship is the closest in that tree.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q12. In phylogenetic tree I, which group of organisms is most directly related to the common ancestor of the tree?

Background

Topic: Interpreting Phylogenetic Trees

This question tests your ability to read a phylogenetic tree and identify which group is closest to the root (common ancestor).

Key Terms and Concepts:

  • Root: The base of the tree, representing the most recent common ancestor of all groups shown.

  • Basal group: The group that branches off closest to the root.

Four phylogenetic trees showing relationships among fungal groups

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Locate the root of tree I and follow the first branch point.

  2. Identify which group is the first to diverge from the rest.

  3. Check the labels to match the group with the options provided.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q13. Among the organisms listed here, which are thought to be the closest relatives of fungi?

Background

Topic: Fungal Evolution and Animal Relationships

This question is about the evolutionary relationship between fungi and other eukaryotic groups, especially animals.

Key Terms and Concepts:

  • Closest relatives: The group that shares the most recent common ancestor with fungi.

  • Opisthokonts: The eukaryotic supergroup that includes fungi, animals, and some protists.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall that fungi and animals are both part of the opisthokont clade.

  2. Review the evolutionary tree to see which group is most closely related to fungi.

  3. Eliminate groups that are more distantly related, such as plants or slime molds.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q31. In the figure below, the Deuterostomia clade is most closely related to which two main clades?

Background

Topic: Animal Phylogeny

This question asks you to interpret a phylogenetic tree of animals and identify the two main clades most closely related to Deuterostomia.

Key Terms and Concepts:

  • Deuterostomia: A major clade of animals that includes echinoderms and chordates.

  • Lophotrochozoa and Ecdysozoa: The other two main clades of bilaterian animals.

Animal phylogenetic tree showing major clades

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Locate the Deuterostomia clade on the tree.

  2. Identify the branches that are most closely related to Deuterostomia.

  3. Check the names of these clades and compare them to the answer choices.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

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