Phylogeny Review

Front

What is phylogeny?

Back

The evolutionary history of a species or taxonomic group.

Front

What does a phylogenetic tree represent?

Back

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

Front

What is a common ancestor?

Back

The most recent individual from which all organisms in a group are directly descended.

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

A diagram that shows the relationships among organisms based on shared characteristics.

Front

What are Saurischian dinosaurs?

Back

A group of dinosaurs that are more closely related to birds.

Front

What are Ornithischian dinosaurs?

Back

A group of dinosaurs that are not closely related to birds.

Front

How can you determine relatedness in a phylogenetic tree?

Back

By examining the branching points and the common ancestors shared by different organisms.

Front

What is the significance of the root of a phylogenetic tree?

Back

It represents the common ancestor of all the organisms in the tree.

Front

What does it mean if two organisms share a more recent common ancestor?

Back

They are more closely related to each other than to organisms that share a more distant common ancestor.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Back

Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution.