Question 1

Which of the following best describes a monophyletic group in a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

A group that contains a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Question 2

In binomial nomenclature, which of the following is the correct way to write the scientific name for the domestic cat?

Accepted Answer

$	extit{Felis catus}$

Question 3

Which principle is used to select the best phylogenetic tree based on the least number of evolutionary changes?

Accepted Answer

Parsimony

Question 4

A mutation that does not affect an organism's fitness is called a neutral mutation. How can such mutations spread through a population?

Accepted Answer

By genetic drift

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a shared derived character (apomorphy) in the family Felidae?

Accepted Answer

Ability to purr

Question 6

Why can convergent evolution complicate the construction of phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

It produces homoplasies, which are similar traits not due to common ancestry.

Question 7

Which taxonomic rank is immediately higher than 'Family' in the hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Order

Question 8

If two species share a trait that was present in their most recent common ancestor, this trait is called:

Accepted Answer

A shared ancestral character (plesiomorphy)

Question 9

Which scenario best illustrates horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

A bacterium acquires antibiotic resistance genes from another species via plasmid exchange.

Question 10

A group that includes a common ancestor but excludes some of its descendants is called:

Accepted Answer

Paraphyletic

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a reason why molecular clocks may not be perfectly linear?

Accepted Answer

All mutations occur at the same rate in all species

Question 12

Which of the following statements about the binomial nomenclature system is correct?

Accepted Answer

The genus name is capitalized and the species epithet is not.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Warm-blooded animals (homeotherms)

Question 14

Which process results in the formation of two or more species from a single ancestral species?

Accepted Answer

Cladogenesis

Question 15

Which of the following is a homology?

Accepted Answer

The presence of hair in mammals due to inheritance from a common ancestor.

Question 16

A scientist is comparing gene sequences between two species to estimate their time since divergence. Which concept is she using?

Accepted Answer

Molecular clock

Question 17

Which of the following mechanisms was crucial in the origin of the eukaryotic cell and is an example of horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

Endosymbiosis

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

Which of the following would be most useful for studying evolutionary relationships among closely related species?

Accepted Answer

Rapidly-evolving genes

Question 20

A phylogenetic tree shows that the ability to purr is present only in the domestic cat and leopard. What does this suggest about the trait?

Accepted Answer

It is a shared derived character (apomorphy) for these species.

Taxonomy and Systematics: Principles and Applications in Biological Diversity

Study Guide - Practice Questions