BIOL 180 Exam 3 Quiz Questions with Verified Answers | 2026/2027 |
Complete Biology Exam Study Guide A+ Grade
What is a synapomorphy? - (ANSWER)A trait that is similar in two or more species because it is derived
from a trait that existed in a common ancestor.
Why do synapomorphies arise during evolution? - (ANSWER)When a new species begins evolving
independently, novel traits arise which are then passed on to its descendant species.
What does it mean to say that one phylogenetic tree is more parsimonious than another? -
(ANSWER)Fewer changes have to occur to make the origin of traits fit on the tree.
Is it correct to claim that traits always become more complex or specialized over time? - (ANSWER)No,
because it is common to observe that they don't.
What is a monophyletic group? - (ANSWER)a common ancestor and all of its descendants
What is an outgroup? - (ANSWER)a taxon that is closely related to a monophyletic group, but not part of
it
Homology and homoplasy produce similar traits. What is the key difference? - (ANSWER)whether or not
the similar traits were inherited from a common ancestor
What is a synapomorphy? - (ANSWER)a trait that is derived from an ancestor and identifies a
monophyletic group
As a principle in logic, what does parsimony mean? - (ANSWER)the simplest explanation is preferred
(more complicated explanations are less likely)
Why does convergent evolution occur? - (ANSWER)When natural selection favors similar traits in similar
environments.
, BIOL 180 Exam 3 Quiz Questions with Verified Answers | 2026/2027 |
Complete Biology Exam Study Guide A+ Grade
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a branch represent? - (ANSWER)a population through time
On most phylogenetic trees, what does the length of a branch represent? - (ANSWER)nothing
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a node represent? - (ANSWER)a splitting event (one population
becomes two or more evolutionarily independent populations)
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a tip represent? - (ANSWER)any taxon (named group)
What criterion does the biological species concept use to identify species? - (ANSWER)reproductive
isolation
Which of the following is a strength of the biological species concept? - (ANSWER)It is focused on genetic
isolation—the key to speciation,
Which of the following is a weakness of the biological species concept? - (ANSWER)It isn't applicable to
asexual, fossil, or geographically isolated species
Why is the morphological species concept a logical criterion for identifying species? - (ANSWER)If species
are evolving independently, they should have recognizable morphological differences
Which of the following is a strength of the morphospecies concept? - (ANSWER)It can be used with fossil
or asexually reproducing species, as well as sexually reproducing species.
Which of the following is a weakness of the morphospecies concept? - (ANSWER)Experts can disagree
about whether populations are similar enough to be the same species.
Why is genetic isolation--meaning, a lack of gene flow--required for speciation to occur? -
(ANSWER)Otherwise, gene flow will prevent populations from diverging (keep them alike).
Complete Biology Exam Study Guide A+ Grade
What is a synapomorphy? - (ANSWER)A trait that is similar in two or more species because it is derived
from a trait that existed in a common ancestor.
Why do synapomorphies arise during evolution? - (ANSWER)When a new species begins evolving
independently, novel traits arise which are then passed on to its descendant species.
What does it mean to say that one phylogenetic tree is more parsimonious than another? -
(ANSWER)Fewer changes have to occur to make the origin of traits fit on the tree.
Is it correct to claim that traits always become more complex or specialized over time? - (ANSWER)No,
because it is common to observe that they don't.
What is a monophyletic group? - (ANSWER)a common ancestor and all of its descendants
What is an outgroup? - (ANSWER)a taxon that is closely related to a monophyletic group, but not part of
it
Homology and homoplasy produce similar traits. What is the key difference? - (ANSWER)whether or not
the similar traits were inherited from a common ancestor
What is a synapomorphy? - (ANSWER)a trait that is derived from an ancestor and identifies a
monophyletic group
As a principle in logic, what does parsimony mean? - (ANSWER)the simplest explanation is preferred
(more complicated explanations are less likely)
Why does convergent evolution occur? - (ANSWER)When natural selection favors similar traits in similar
environments.
, BIOL 180 Exam 3 Quiz Questions with Verified Answers | 2026/2027 |
Complete Biology Exam Study Guide A+ Grade
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a branch represent? - (ANSWER)a population through time
On most phylogenetic trees, what does the length of a branch represent? - (ANSWER)nothing
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a node represent? - (ANSWER)a splitting event (one population
becomes two or more evolutionarily independent populations)
On a phylogenetic tree, what does a tip represent? - (ANSWER)any taxon (named group)
What criterion does the biological species concept use to identify species? - (ANSWER)reproductive
isolation
Which of the following is a strength of the biological species concept? - (ANSWER)It is focused on genetic
isolation—the key to speciation,
Which of the following is a weakness of the biological species concept? - (ANSWER)It isn't applicable to
asexual, fossil, or geographically isolated species
Why is the morphological species concept a logical criterion for identifying species? - (ANSWER)If species
are evolving independently, they should have recognizable morphological differences
Which of the following is a strength of the morphospecies concept? - (ANSWER)It can be used with fossil
or asexually reproducing species, as well as sexually reproducing species.
Which of the following is a weakness of the morphospecies concept? - (ANSWER)Experts can disagree
about whether populations are similar enough to be the same species.
Why is genetic isolation--meaning, a lack of gene flow--required for speciation to occur? -
(ANSWER)Otherwise, gene flow will prevent populations from diverging (keep them alike).
