Question 1

According to the Linnaean system of classification, which of the following correctly lists the taxonomic ranks from most specific to most broad?

Accepted Answer

Species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

$$	extit{Cebuela pygmaea}$$

Question 3

What does a node represent on a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

The most recent common ancestor of the descendant lineages

Question 4

Which of the following best describes sister taxa on a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

Two taxa that share a most recent common ancestor not shared with any other taxa

Question 5

If a mutation is found only in the Vegetarian Finch and not in any other finch species, where on the phylogenetic tree did this mutation most likely arise?

Accepted Answer

On the branch after the Vegetarian Finch split from the Green Warbler Finch

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a valid reason for using DNA sequence data to construct phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

DNA sequences are unaffected by convergent evolution

Question 7

Given the following classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Primates, Family Callitrichidae, Genus Cebuela, Species pygmaea, which taxonomic rank is shared by all monkeys but not by all mammals?

Accepted Answer

Order

Question 8

If two species share the same family but belong to different genera, which of the following must be true?

Accepted Answer

They are more closely related to each other than to species in different families

Question 9

Which of the following statements about binomial nomenclature is correct?

Accepted Answer

The genus name is always capitalized and the species name is always lowercase

Question 10

A researcher is comparing the evolutionary relationships among five finch species. If the Large Cactus Finch and Medium Ground Finch share a unique trait not found in the other three species, where on the tree did this trait most likely evolve?

Accepted Answer

On the branch representing their most recent common ancestor

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a monophyletic group?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestor and all of its descendants

Question 12

If a phylogenetic tree shows that the Woodpecker Finch is sister to the Large Cactus Finch and the Medium Ground Finch, what does this imply about their evolutionary relationships?

Accepted Answer

The Woodpecker Finch shares a more recent common ancestor with the Large Cactus Finch and Medium Ground Finch than with the other finches

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct binomial name for humans?

Accepted Answer

$$	extit{Homo sapiens}$$

Question 14

A student claims that two species with similar physical traits must be closely related. Which concept from phylogenetics challenges this assumption?

Accepted Answer

Convergent evolution can result in similar traits in unrelated species

Question 15

If you are given the following binomial name: $$	extit{Panthera leo}$$, what is the genus and what is the species?

Accepted Answer

Genus: Panthera, Species: leo

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why scientific names are used instead of common names in taxonomy?

Accepted Answer

Scientific names are standardized and unique to each species, avoiding confusion

Question 17

If a new species is discovered and classified as follows: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Primates, Family Callitrichidae, Genus Cebuela, Species nova, what would be its correct binomial name?

Accepted Answer

$$	extit{Cebuela nova}$$

Question 18

Which of the following statements about evolutionary trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

Branches represent evolutionary lineages, and nodes represent common ancestors

Question 19

If the Green Warbler Finch is the least closely related to any of the other four finch species, what does this imply about its position on the phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

It branches off earliest from the common ancestor of the group

Taxonomy, Classification, and Phylogenetic Trees in Genetics

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