how to draw a taxonomy tree

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What does a node represent on a phylogenetic tree?

Possible Answers:

The most recent common ancestor between the two branches

Nothing; nodes are a visual tool used to separate two groups

Convergent evolution

New kingdoms or domains

Correct answer:

The most recent common ancestor between the two branches

Explanation:

Nodes specifically indicate the most recent common ancestor between the two branches. For example, the ancestor found at the node joining branches from humans to branches from dogs would represent the most recent link between the two branches.

Convergent evolution describes the independent evolution of traits at different points on a phylogeny, and is not related to nodes. Kingdoms and domains are very broad categories. They can be represented by nodes, but only at a very global level.

What are the two classification groups that are representative of the scientific name for an organism?

Possible Answers:

Genus and species

Species and kingdom

Genus and kingdom

Class and kingdom

Class and phylum

Correct answer:

Genus and species

Explanation:

Genus and species are the two taxonomic classifications that are used to represent the scientific name of an organism. The hierarchy of the binomial classification system is (from the top tier to the bottom): kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. Kingdom gives the broadest classification of an organism, while species gives the most specific. The most specific classifications are used to name the organism.

For example, the scientific name for a house cat is felis catus. This indicates that houses cats, like some other species, are in the genus felis and have the unique species tag catus.

The full classification for a house cat would be: anamalia (kingdom), chordata (phylum), mammalia (class), carnivora (order), felidae (family), felis (genus), catus (species).

Cladograms provide what information?

Possible Answers:

Pedigrees of many generations of a species

Characteristics of certain animals

All of these

Evolutionary relatedness among organisms

The geographic distribution of a species

Correct answer:

Evolutionary relatedness among organisms

Explanation:

Cladograms show evolutionary relatedness, usually based on the similarity of the DNA sequences between different species. The closer two branches of the cladogram are to each other, the more closely related the organisms are to each other. The ends of the branches indicate a common ancestor shared by all of the species of that branch. Cladograms do not show geographic relationships. Although primitive cladograms were formulated based on physical characteristics of animals, now, DNA analysis provides a much more accurate comparison between species. Furthermore, cladograms are not limited to animals.

From the diagram above, to which species is species C most closely related?

Possible Answers:

D only

All of the given species are equally related

D and E

A and B

Explanation:

Each branch in the tree represents a break from the common ancestor at the bottom. A and B are both branches off of the same larger branch that C is also a branch of. D, E and F branched off from the common ancestor earlier than A, B, or C. In general, branches that are closer together, and are on the same larger branch, represent organisms which are closely related.

Two species sharing the same __________ will be the most closely related

Possible Answers:

kingdom

family

phylum

class

order

Explanation:

In the system of biological classification, organisms are classified in a hierarchy, or taxonomy. The highest levels of classification are the most inclusive, while the lower levels become more and more specific until a single species is identified. From most inclusive to least inclusive, organisms are assigned a kingdom, a phylum, a class, an order, a family, a genus, and finally a species.

Organisms sharing the same classification at less inclusive levels will be more closely related. For example, two organisms sharing the same genus will be more closely related than those who only share the same family. Of the given answer choices, family is the most specific level of classification.

Which of the following types of data are used to generate phylogenetic trees?

Possible Answers:

Molecular sequencing data

Both molecular sequencing data and morphological similarities

Morphological similarities

Neither molecular sequencing data nor morphological similarities

Correct answer:

Both molecular sequencing data and morphological similarities

Explanation:

Phylogenetics is the study of relationships between organisms and groups of organisms. This is done through the production of phylogenetic trees, which are used to describe these relationships. To make phylogenetic trees, scientists use molecular sequencing and/or morphological similarities in order to characterize the relationships between organisms.

According to the character table above, which of the following would define a clade?

Possible Answers:

Sea urchin, jellyfish

Fish, sea urchin

Scorpion, sea urchin

Lion, fish, sea urchin

Fish, sea urchin, scorpion

Correct answer:

Lion, fish, sea urchin

Explanation:

A clade is defined by a organisms that possess a shared derived trait. In other words, we need to find a set of organisms in the table that includes all organisms with a certain listed trait, while excluding any that lack that specific trait. The lion, fish, and sea urchin are the only clade listed. They are all triploblastic, segmented deuterostomes, and none of the other species share those characteristics. The trait of being a deuterostome is the shared derived trait that defines this clade.

Sea urchin, jellyfish: The jellyfish is the outgroup of the tree presented in the table, as it does not have any of the listed traits. Its last common ancestor with the sea urchin is also its last common ancestor with all of the other species, so a clade with the jellyfish must include all 5 species in the table.

Fish, sea urchin, scorpion: All share segmentation and three tissue layers, which the jellyfish does not have. However, the lion also has segmentation and three tissue layers, so it must be included to form a clade.

Fish, sea urchin: Both are deuterostomes with segmentation and three tissue layers, but the lion is also a deuterostome, so it must be part of the clade.

Scorpion, sea urchin: They both have segmentation and three tissue layers, but so do the lion and the fish, so they must also be part of the clade.

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