Phylogeny (Cladistics)

Question 1

Phylogeny (Cladistics)

Answer 1

Classification process to group all organisms based on common ancestors; the more recently that two species shared a common ancestor, the more closely related they are and the more features they will have in common

Question 2

Phylogenic Trees (Cladograms)

Answer 2

A dichotomous branching diagram showing evolutionary relationships; each point of divergence represents the most recent common ancestor

Question 3

Clade

Answer 3

A group comprising of all of the descendants of a particular ancestral organism

Question 4

Assumptions of Cladistics

Answer 4

1. Common Ancestor
2. Bifurcation
3. Physical Change Over Time

Question 5

Common Ancestor Assumption

Answer 5

Because all life evolved from a single ancestor, any group of organisms will share a common ancestor at some point in the past; biodiversity has been produced by the reproduction of existing organisms

Question 6

Bifurcation Assumption

Answer 6

New kinds of organisms may arise when existing populations divide into exactly two groups; does not consider interbreeding or that new features can emerge independently