VCU Biology 152 Exam 2 Review (Spring
2020) Actual study set with Questions
and correct/verified Answers
What is the Linnaean Classification (inclusive to specific)? - ANSWER-Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
What is a Phylogeny? - ANSWER-Evolutionary Trees / History
Define each portion of the phylogenetic tree:
Root
Branch Point
Basal Taxon
Sister Taxon
Polytomy - ANSWER-Root - Starting point
Branch Point - Point where the lineage splits
Basal Taxon - Lineage that does not branch
Sister Taxon - Lineage with shared root
Polytomy - Lineage greater than 2 with a share root (scientists have not fully comprehended the
relationship)
Analogous Features - ANSWER-Features with the same function, but different ancestry
Homologous Features - ANSWER-Features with the same structure and related ancestry
Homoplasy - ANSWER-Analogous structures or molecular sequences that evolved independently
Homologies vs Homoplasies - ANSWER-Homology - More complex similar structures
Homoplasy - Less complex similar structures
The Law of Parsimony (Occam's Razor) - ANSWER-The scientific principle that things are usually
connected or behave in the simplest or most economical way, especially with reference to alternative
evolutionary pathways.
, Synapomorphy - ANSWER-Shared derived characteristic
Plesiomorphy - ANSWER-Shared ancestral characteristic
Which types of phylogenic trees are preferred? - ANSWER-Simple ones because they are the easiest
explanation of data.
Common Fallacies (False Interpretations) - ANSWER-Humans are the endpoint of a "main line".
There is a trend toward "humanness" from left to right.
The human lineage includes a monkey ancestor.
There has been no branching in the lineages leading to the other modern species of primates.
What were the initial conditions of the Earth like? - ANSWER-Extreme Temperature Variation
Storms & Radiation
Carbon Dioxide & Nitrogen Atmosphere
Volcanic Activity
What Elements Compose Living Matter? - ANSWER-Carbon
Nitrogen
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
What is the replicator-first model?
What did the replicator-first model hold? - ANSWER-The replicator-first model recreated the Earth's
atmosphere with an addition of an energy source. The model demonstrated that amino acids could form
relatively easily.
The model held that the first organism that existed on Earth was probably a single molecule with the
ability to replicate itself (similar DNA).
2020) Actual study set with Questions
and correct/verified Answers
What is the Linnaean Classification (inclusive to specific)? - ANSWER-Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
What is a Phylogeny? - ANSWER-Evolutionary Trees / History
Define each portion of the phylogenetic tree:
Root
Branch Point
Basal Taxon
Sister Taxon
Polytomy - ANSWER-Root - Starting point
Branch Point - Point where the lineage splits
Basal Taxon - Lineage that does not branch
Sister Taxon - Lineage with shared root
Polytomy - Lineage greater than 2 with a share root (scientists have not fully comprehended the
relationship)
Analogous Features - ANSWER-Features with the same function, but different ancestry
Homologous Features - ANSWER-Features with the same structure and related ancestry
Homoplasy - ANSWER-Analogous structures or molecular sequences that evolved independently
Homologies vs Homoplasies - ANSWER-Homology - More complex similar structures
Homoplasy - Less complex similar structures
The Law of Parsimony (Occam's Razor) - ANSWER-The scientific principle that things are usually
connected or behave in the simplest or most economical way, especially with reference to alternative
evolutionary pathways.
, Synapomorphy - ANSWER-Shared derived characteristic
Plesiomorphy - ANSWER-Shared ancestral characteristic
Which types of phylogenic trees are preferred? - ANSWER-Simple ones because they are the easiest
explanation of data.
Common Fallacies (False Interpretations) - ANSWER-Humans are the endpoint of a "main line".
There is a trend toward "humanness" from left to right.
The human lineage includes a monkey ancestor.
There has been no branching in the lineages leading to the other modern species of primates.
What were the initial conditions of the Earth like? - ANSWER-Extreme Temperature Variation
Storms & Radiation
Carbon Dioxide & Nitrogen Atmosphere
Volcanic Activity
What Elements Compose Living Matter? - ANSWER-Carbon
Nitrogen
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
What is the replicator-first model?
What did the replicator-first model hold? - ANSWER-The replicator-first model recreated the Earth's
atmosphere with an addition of an energy source. The model demonstrated that amino acids could form
relatively easily.
The model held that the first organism that existed on Earth was probably a single molecule with the
ability to replicate itself (similar DNA).
