Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes what a phylogenetic tree shows?

Accepted Answer

It shows the evolutionary relationships among species based on shared ancestry.

Question 2

In the context of phylogenetic trees, what is a monophyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes a single common ancestor and all of its descendants.

Question 3

Which scenario best illustrates homoplasy (analogy) rather than homology?

Accepted Answer

The wings of bats and birds, which evolved independently for flight.

Question 4

Why can analogous characters be problematic when constructing phylogenies?

Accepted Answer

They can mislead researchers into grouping species together based on similar traits that evolved independently.

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct format for writing a binomial species name?

Accepted Answer

Genus species (italicized, with genus capitalized)

Question 6

A researcher finds that two species share a similar DNA sequence, but more than 20% of the base pairs are identical. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

It may be a case of molecular homoplasy, where similarity is due to coincidence rather than close evolutionary relationship.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes a paraphyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes a common ancestor but not all of its descendants.

Question 8

In a phylogenetic tree, what does a branch point (node) represent?

Accepted Answer

The most recent common ancestor of the lineages diverging from that point.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The development of wings in bats and insects for flight.

Question 10

If a phylogenetic tree shows a polytomy, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

An unresolved pattern of divergence among several lineages.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a valid phylogenetic grouping?

Accepted Answer

Polyphyletic group

Question 12

A scientist is comparing the forelimbs of whales, bats, and humans. What type of character is being analyzed?

Accepted Answer

Homologous character

Question 13

Which taxonomic rank is the broadest in the hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Domain

Question 14

Which mnemonic helps remember the order of major taxonomic ranks?

Accepted Answer

"Dear King Philip Cries Out For Grape Soda"

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a clade?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Which of the following is a synapomorphy?

Accepted Answer

A shared derived character inherited from a common ancestor.

Question 17

When constructing a phylogenetic tree, why is an outgroup used?

Accepted Answer

To help determine which characters are ancestral and which are derived.

Question 18

If a branch length in a phylogenetic tree is proportional to the number of genetic changes, what does a longer branch indicate?

Accepted Answer

More genetic changes have occurred in that lineage.

Question 19

Which of the following equations could be used to estimate the percentage of shared base pairs between two DNA sequences?

Accepted Answer

$$ 	ext{Percent Shared} = \frac{	ext{Number of Shared Base Pairs}}{	ext{Total Base Pairs}} 	imes 100 $$

Question 20

A paleontologist uses fossil evidence to calibrate branch points in a phylogenetic tree. What does this allow them to estimate?

Accepted Answer

The chronological timing of evolutionary divergences.

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life: Study Notes for General Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions