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Synthesis Questions on Evolutionary
Concepts and Events Questions and
Answers (100% Correct Answers)
Already Graded A+
Polyphyletic Grouping Ans: A grouping that includes multiple
© 2026 Assignment
ancestral lines.
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Paraphyletic Group Ans: A grouping that includes a common
Expert
ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.
Monophyletic Group Ans: A grouping that includes a common
ancestor and all of its descendants.
Sister Taxa Ans: Groups of organisms that share an immediate
common ancestor.
Polytomy Ans: A node in a phylogenetic tree where more than
two descendant groups emerge.
Clade Ans: A group of organisms that includes an ancestor and
all its descendants.
Node Ans: A point in a phylogenetic tree where a branch splits
into two or more branches.
Plesiomorphy Ans: An ancestral trait that is not useful in
finding relationships among terminal taxa.
, 2
Synapomorphy Ans: A derived character shared by two or
more terminal taxa or clades.
Autapomorphy Ans: A unique trait that only one terminal
taxon possesses.
Homoplasy Ans: Traits that appear similar in different
organisms but evolved independently due to similar selective
pressures.
© 2026 Assignment
Natural Selection Ans: The process where heritable traits that
improve survival and reproduction become more common.
Guru01 - Stuvia
Descent with Modification Ans: The principle that species
Expert
change over time, leading to diversity from a common
ancestor.
Biogeography Ans: The study of the distribution of species
and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological
time.
Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics Ans: Lamarck's idea
that organisms develop traits through use and pass them to
offspring.
Common Misconception about Lamarck Ans: He did not
propose evolution by will; traits are not passed intentionally.
Common Misconception about Darwin & Wallace Ans:
Evolution is not goal-directed and does not always produce
'better' organisms.
Natural Selection Misconception Ans: Natural selection does
not give organisms what they 'need'; it acts on existing traits.
Synthesis Questions on Evolutionary
Concepts and Events Questions and
Answers (100% Correct Answers)
Already Graded A+
Polyphyletic Grouping Ans: A grouping that includes multiple
© 2026 Assignment
ancestral lines.
Guru01 - Stuvia
Paraphyletic Group Ans: A grouping that includes a common
Expert
ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.
Monophyletic Group Ans: A grouping that includes a common
ancestor and all of its descendants.
Sister Taxa Ans: Groups of organisms that share an immediate
common ancestor.
Polytomy Ans: A node in a phylogenetic tree where more than
two descendant groups emerge.
Clade Ans: A group of organisms that includes an ancestor and
all its descendants.
Node Ans: A point in a phylogenetic tree where a branch splits
into two or more branches.
Plesiomorphy Ans: An ancestral trait that is not useful in
finding relationships among terminal taxa.
, 2
Synapomorphy Ans: A derived character shared by two or
more terminal taxa or clades.
Autapomorphy Ans: A unique trait that only one terminal
taxon possesses.
Homoplasy Ans: Traits that appear similar in different
organisms but evolved independently due to similar selective
pressures.
© 2026 Assignment
Natural Selection Ans: The process where heritable traits that
improve survival and reproduction become more common.
Guru01 - Stuvia
Descent with Modification Ans: The principle that species
Expert
change over time, leading to diversity from a common
ancestor.
Biogeography Ans: The study of the distribution of species
and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological
time.
Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics Ans: Lamarck's idea
that organisms develop traits through use and pass them to
offspring.
Common Misconception about Lamarck Ans: He did not
propose evolution by will; traits are not passed intentionally.
Common Misconception about Darwin & Wallace Ans:
Evolution is not goal-directed and does not always produce
'better' organisms.
Natural Selection Misconception Ans: Natural selection does
not give organisms what they 'need'; it acts on existing traits.
