Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of taxonomy in biology?

Accepted Answer

To classify and name organisms based on shared characteristics

Question 2

In binomial nomenclature, which part of the scientific name is always capitalized and italicized?

Accepted Answer

The genus

Question 3

A phylogenetic tree is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis about evolutionary relationships among species

Question 4

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

They show patterns of descent, not phenotypic similarity

Question 5

What is the difference between homology and analogy?

Accepted Answer

Homology is similarity due to shared ancestry, while analogy is similarity due to convergent evolution

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestor and all its descendants

Question 7

A paraphyletic group is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestral species and some, but not all, of its descendants

Question 8

Which of the following is a shared derived character for mammals?

Accepted Answer

Hair

Question 9

In a phylogenetic analysis, what is the main function of an outgroup?

Accepted Answer

To help determine which characters are ancestral and which are derived

Question 10

Which principle states that the simplest explanation, requiring the fewest evolutionary events, is preferred when constructing phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

Maximum parsimony

Question 11

A researcher is comparing DNA sequences from several species. Which method would help her identify the most likely phylogenetic tree based on probability rules of DNA change?

Accepted Answer

Maximum likelihood

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A group that includes distantly related species but not their most recent common ancestor

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a basal taxon in a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

A lineage that diverged early and remains unbranched

Question 14

If two species share a trait due to convergent evolution, this trait is considered:

Accepted Answer

An analogous character

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct application of phylogenetic bracketing?

Accepted Answer

Predicting that dinosaurs built nests because both birds and crocodiles do

Question 16

Which of the following is a shared ancestral character for all vertebrates?

Accepted Answer

Vertebral column (backbone)

Question 17

A scientist finds two animals with similar body shapes and lifestyles, but they are from different continents and evolutionary lineages. What is the most likely explanation for their similarity?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a valid reason for rotating branches around a branch point in a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

To change the evolutionary relationships depicted

Question 19

Which of the following could be homologous between two taxa?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 20

A student is constructing a phylogenetic tree using both morphological and molecular data. Which of the following steps should she take to ensure her tree is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Distinguish between homologous and analogous traits before inferring relationships

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life: Structured Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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