Mastery Check 4 (U6)

What is taxonomy in biology?

• The study of plants

• The field of biology that classifies organisms

• The study of animal behavior

• The study of cells

Answer explanation

Taxonomy is the field of biology that classifies organisms into categories based on shared characteristics. This includes naming, describing, and organizing species, making it essential for understanding biodiversity.

What is binomial nomenclature?

• A) A one-name naming system

• B) A two-name naming system

• C) A three-name naming system

• D) A four-name naming system

Answer explanation

Binomial nomenclature is a two-name naming system used in biology to uniquely identify species. It consists of the genus name followed by the species name, making option B the correct choice.

What is phylogeny? Fill in the blank: Phylogeny is the __________ history of a species.

• evolutionary

• geographical

• behavioral

• anatomical

Answer explanation

Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history of a species, tracing its lineage and relationships with other species over time. Therefore, the correct answer is 'evolutionary'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is a phylogenetic tree?

• A diagram used to predict evolutionary relationships among groups of organisms.

• A chart showing food chains.

• A map of animal habitats.

• A list of animal names.

Answer explanation

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that illustrates the evolutionary relationships among different groups of organisms, making the first answer choice correct. The other options do not accurately describe a phylogenetic tree.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What does the 'root' of a phylogenetic tree represent?

• The most recent species

• A common ancestor that all organisms on the tree evolved from

• The oldest branch

• A node

Answer explanation

The 'root' of a phylogenetic tree represents a common ancestor from which all organisms on the tree evolved. It signifies the starting point of evolutionary relationships among the species depicted.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is speciation in the context of a phylogenetic tree?

• Loss of a branch

• Branching of a family tree

• The root of the tree

• A recent ancestor

Answer explanation

Speciation refers to the branching of a family tree in a phylogenetic context, indicating how new species arise from common ancestors. This process is represented as branches diverging on the tree.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-6

According to the instructions on how NOT to read phylogenetic trees, do phylogenetic trees show that A → B → C → D (a linear progression from one organism to another)?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

No, phylogenetic trees do not represent a linear progression like A → B → C → D. Instead, they illustrate evolutionary relationships among organisms, showing branching patterns rather than a straight line of descent.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

According to the instructions on how NOT to read phylogenetic trees, do phylogenetic trees show that A > B > C > D (one organism is greater than another in a hierarchy)?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

No, phylogenetic trees do not indicate a hierarchy of 'greater than' relationships. They represent evolutionary relationships and common ancestry, not superiority among organisms.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Phylogenetic trees are trees, not ladders.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Phylogenetic trees represent evolutionary relationships as branching diagrams, illustrating how species diverge from common ancestors. This structure emphasizes diversity and complexity, unlike a ladder which implies a linear progression. Thus, the statement is True.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What can we predict from this phylogenetic tree?

• Humans and chimpanzees share a more recent common ancestor than humans and gorillas.

• Prosimians are more closely related to humans than to New World Monkeys.

• Gibbons are the closest relatives to humans.

• Old World Monkeys evolved before Prosimians.

Answer explanation

The phylogenetic tree indicates that humans and chimpanzees diverged from a common ancestor more recently than the divergence between humans and gorillas, confirming the closer evolutionary relationship.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1