BIO 1201 EXAM 2 comprehensive
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions
Question 1:
Linnaean Classification
Answer:
A hierarchical system of naming and grouping organisms into Domain,
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Helps organize
diversity, but doesn't always reflect evolutionary relationships.
Question 2:
Phylogenetic Tree
Answer:
A branching diagram that represents the evolutionary history of a group of
organisms. Think of it as a hypothesis of ancestry—branches show
relationships, not progression.
Question 3:
Homology
Answer:
Similarity due to shared ancestry. Example: a cat's paw and a human
hand have the same underlying bone structure.
,Question 4:
Analogy
Answer:
Similarity due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry. Example:
bird wings and insect wings—both for flight, but evolved separately.
Question 5:
Cladistics
Answer:
A method of systematics where common ancestry is the primary criterion
for grouping. It uses shared derived traits to build evolutionary "family
trees."
Question 6:
Clade
Answer:
A group of species that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.
Only clades = valid groups in cladistics (monophyletic).
Question 7:
Monophyletic Group
Answer:
Includes an ancestor and all of its descendants. The only group type
considered "natural" in phylogenetics.
, Question 8:
Paraphyletic Group
Answer:
Includes an ancestor and some, but not all, descendants. Example:
"Reptiles" excluding birds.
Question 9:
Polyphyletic Group
Answer:
Includes species without their most recent common ancestor. Example:
grouping bats and birds together just because they both fly.
Question 10:
Shared Ancestral Character
Answer:
Trait that originated in an ancestor of the taxon. Example: backbone in
vertebrates.
Question 11:
Shared Derived Character
Answer:
Evolutionary novelty unique to a clade. Example: hair in mammals—used
to define the clade.
Question 12:
Outgroup
Answer:
Species or group closely related to but not part of the group being
studied. Provides a baseline for identifying ancestral traits.
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions
Question 1:
Linnaean Classification
Answer:
A hierarchical system of naming and grouping organisms into Domain,
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Helps organize
diversity, but doesn't always reflect evolutionary relationships.
Question 2:
Phylogenetic Tree
Answer:
A branching diagram that represents the evolutionary history of a group of
organisms. Think of it as a hypothesis of ancestry—branches show
relationships, not progression.
Question 3:
Homology
Answer:
Similarity due to shared ancestry. Example: a cat's paw and a human
hand have the same underlying bone structure.
,Question 4:
Analogy
Answer:
Similarity due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry. Example:
bird wings and insect wings—both for flight, but evolved separately.
Question 5:
Cladistics
Answer:
A method of systematics where common ancestry is the primary criterion
for grouping. It uses shared derived traits to build evolutionary "family
trees."
Question 6:
Clade
Answer:
A group of species that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.
Only clades = valid groups in cladistics (monophyletic).
Question 7:
Monophyletic Group
Answer:
Includes an ancestor and all of its descendants. The only group type
considered "natural" in phylogenetics.
, Question 8:
Paraphyletic Group
Answer:
Includes an ancestor and some, but not all, descendants. Example:
"Reptiles" excluding birds.
Question 9:
Polyphyletic Group
Answer:
Includes species without their most recent common ancestor. Example:
grouping bats and birds together just because they both fly.
Question 10:
Shared Ancestral Character
Answer:
Trait that originated in an ancestor of the taxon. Example: backbone in
vertebrates.
Question 11:
Shared Derived Character
Answer:
Evolutionary novelty unique to a clade. Example: hair in mammals—used
to define the clade.
Question 12:
Outgroup
Answer:
Species or group closely related to but not part of the group being
studied. Provides a baseline for identifying ancestral traits.
