Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

In the Linnaean system of classification, which taxonomic category is the most inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Domain

Question 3

A phylogenetic tree shows that legless lizards and snakes evolved from different lineages of legged lizards. What does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution resulting in analogous traits

Question 4

Which of the following is a correct example of binomial nomenclature?

Accepted Answer

Panthera pardus

Question 5

What is a clade in the context of phylogenetic classification?

Accepted Answer

A group of species that includes an ancestral species and all its descendants

Question 6

Which principle is used to select the simplest phylogenetic tree that requires the fewest evolutionary events?

Accepted Answer

Maximum parsimony

Question 7

If two genes in different species share many portions of their nucleotide sequence, what is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

They are homologous genes due to shared ancestry.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a monophyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestor and all its descendants

Question 9

Why do systematists use both morphological and molecular data when constructing phylogenies?

Accepted Answer

To distinguish between homology and analogy and improve accuracy

Question 10

Which of the following is true about molecular clocks?

Accepted Answer

They assume a constant rate of molecular change over time.

Question 11

A researcher is comparing the DNA sequences of two species and finds a large number of differences. What does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

The species diverged a long time ago.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of an orthologous gene?

Accepted Answer

A gene found in a single copy in the genome and homologous between species

Question 13

What is the main reason why broader taxa are not always comparable between lineages?

Accepted Answer

Broader taxa may have different levels of genetic diversity depending on the lineage.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic trees show patterns of descent, not phenotypic similarity.

Question 15

A shared derived character is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

An evolutionary novelty unique to a particular clade

Question 16

Which of the following would be considered a paraphyletic group?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which equation would you use to calculate the proportion of genetic differences between two DNA sequences?

Accepted Answer

$$p = \frac{n_{differences}}{n_{total}}$$

Question 18

If a gene duplication event occurs in a species and the duplicated genes evolve new functions, what are these genes called?

Accepted Answer

Paralogous genes

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Identifying the species origin of illegally harvested whale meat using mtDNA

Question 20

Why might a systematist use an outgroup when constructing a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

To determine which characters are shared derived and which are shared ancestral

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life: Structured Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions