Classification Systems: Classical Taxonomy, Phenetics &Cladistics

Where does the system of classifying things based first into broad categories, then into progressively more specific categories, originate?

• Classical taxonomy
• None of these are correct.
• Cladistics
• Phenetics

Which system of classification is scientifically objective and also only takes into account shared traits that are derived from a shared evolutionary ancestor?

• Phenetics
• Classical taxonomy
• Cladistics
• All of these systems of classification do this.

When using phenetics, which of these issues could potentially occur?

• A mule cannot be classified because it is a hybrid of multiple species.
• There are no issues with phenetics.
• A bird and dinosaur are subjectively classified as belong to separate groups, when actually being scientifically related
• A dolphin and shark are classified as being related due to similar morphology.

All of the following statements describe cladistics EXCEPT:

• If two organisms are closely related they have a recent common ancestor.
• The more distance between a branch and the end species on a cladogram, the more distantly related the two species.
• Organisms are classified into hierarchies of similarity, based solely on morphology.
• The basic idea is that things that share a common ancestor should be classified together.

Classical taxonomy relies on both morphology and phylogeny. What do these terms mean?

• Phylogeny is physical characteristics, and morphology is change over time.
• Phylogeny is broad classifications, and morphology is specific classifications.
• Phylogeny is bone structure, and morphology is brain size.
• Phylogeny is evolutionary history, and morphology is form and structure.