Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between homology and analogy in evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

Homology refers to similarity due to shared ancestry, while analogy refers to similarity due to convergent evolution.

Question 2

In the phylogenetic tree showing the relationships among geckos, snakes, iguanas, monitor lizards, and glass lizards, the loss of limbs occurred independently in snakes and glass lizards. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution

Question 3

Which of the following is the correct order of taxonomic ranks from broadest to most specific?

Accepted Answer

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 4

A group that includes an ancestral species and all of its descendants is called a:

Accepted Answer

Monophyletic group

Question 5

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The order of taxa at the tips of a phylogenetic tree always indicates the sequence of evolutionary events.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a shared derived character (synapomorphy) for mammals?

Accepted Answer

Hair

Question 7

In a cladistic analysis, what is the purpose of including an outgroup?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a reference point for identifying shared derived characters in the ingroup

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the principle of maximum parsimony in phylogenetic analysis?

Accepted Answer

The tree that requires the fewest evolutionary events is the most likely.

Question 9

A molecular clock is used to estimate the time of evolutionary change based on which assumption?

Accepted Answer

The rate of molecular change is constant over time in some genes.

Question 10

Which of the following is a real-world example of horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

A gene moving from a bacterium to a eukaryote via a plasmid

Question 11

Which of the following statements about orthologous and paralogous genes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Orthologous genes are found in different species and are homologous due to speciation.

Question 12

If a phylogenetic tree shows that birds and crocodiles share several features such as four-chambered hearts and nest building, what does this suggest about their evolutionary history?

Accepted Answer

These features likely evolved in a common ancestor and were inherited by both groups.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why gene number is not strongly linked to organismal complexity?

Accepted Answer

Genes in complex organisms can encode multiple proteins that perform many different functions.

Question 14

Which of the following is a limitation of using molecular clocks to estimate evolutionary divergence times?

Accepted Answer

The molecular clock does not run as smoothly as expected due to natural selection and other factors.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a paraphyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group containing an ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of an outgroup in constructing a cladogram?

Accepted Answer

It is used to root the tree and help distinguish between shared ancestral and shared derived characters.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct application of the principle of maximum likelihood in phylogenetic analysis?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the tree that is most probable given specific models of DNA sequence evolution.

Question 18

Which of the following is a shared ancestral character for all vertebrates in the provided character table and phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

Vertebral column

Question 19

Why might two phylogenetic trees with the same taxa look different but still represent the same evolutionary relationships?

Accepted Answer

The orientation of the branches can be rotated without changing the relationships.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of phylogenetic bracketing?

Accepted Answer

Inferring that dinosaurs built nests and brooded their eggs based on shared features with birds and crocodiles.

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards