Question 1

The goal of Linnaean taxonomy and the resulting system of scientific nomenclature (convention for naming organisms) was to

Accepted Answer

A)  classify biological diversity. 
B)  explain the evolutionary history of organisms. 
C)  group organisms based on shared genetic traits. 
D)  please the Chinese emperor. 
A)  classify biological diversity. 
B)  explain the evolutionary history of organisms. 
C)  group organisms based on shared genetic traits. 
D)  please the Chinese emperor. A

Question 2

Charles Darwin inferred the pattern of common ancestry without understanding the basis for heredity. However, if Darwin's theory of descent with modification is correct, then

Accepted Answer

A)  DNA sequence similarity should reflect patterns of common ancestry inferred from other evidence. 
B)  DNA sequences will indicate the correct phylogeny, and other traits, such as morphology and anatomy, will be irrelevant to common ancestry. 
C)  the hereditary basis of a trait will not matter for understanding its evolutionary history. 
D)  common ancestry will be reflected in phylogenies only for traits that are determined by a single gene. 
A)  DNA sequence similarity should reflect patterns of common ancestry inferred from other evidence. 
B)  DNA sequences will indicate the correct phylogeny, and other traits, such as morphology and anatomy, will be irrelevant to common ancestry. 
C)  the hereditary basis of a trait will not matter for understanding its evolutionary history. 
D)  common ancestry will be reflected in phylogenies only for traits that are determined by a single gene. A

Question 3

Do the five trees shown in the figure represent the same or different relationships among the taxa numbered 1-4? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

These trees all show the same set of evolutionary relationships among the taxa. Any node in the tree can be rotated without altering the depicted relationships. The relative positions from left to right in the tree do not matter; what matters is the distance to the most recent common ancestor.

Question 4

Based on the figure, draw three rooted trees that would result from rooting at each of the nodes (A, B, and C) indicated by the labeled dots.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on the figure, draw three rooted...

Question 5

What is the difference between cladograms, phylograms, and chronograms?

Accepted Answer

A)  the rooting of the trees 
B)  how polyphyletic and paraphyletic groups are determined 
C)  what branch lengths represent 
D)  the number of homologous traits 
A)  the rooting of the trees 
B)  how polyphyletic and paraphyletic groups are determined 
C)  what branch lengths represent 
D)  the number of homologous traits

Question 6

Analogous traits are found in two or more species because

Accepted Answer

A)  some evolutionary process (usually natural selection) has independently fashioned similar traits in each species. 
B)  those traits have been inherited from a common ancestor. 
C)  hybridization between the species passes the trait on to both. 
D)  evolution by natural selection requires heritable variation. 
A)  some evolutionary process (usually natural selection) has independently fashioned similar traits in each species. 
B)  those traits have been inherited from a common ancestor. 
C)  hybridization between the species passes the trait on to both. 
D)  evolution by natural selection requires heritable variation.

Question 7

Based on the figure, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fish are not a monophyletic group. 
B)  Amphibians are not a monophyletic group. 
C)  Tetrapod vertebrates are not a monophyletic group. 
D)  Lampreys are not a monophyletic group. 
A)  Fish are not a monophyletic group. 
B)  Amphibians are not a monophyletic group. 
C)  Tetrapod vertebrates are not a monophyletic group. 
D)  Lampreys are not a monophyletic group.

Question 8

Vestigial traits are those that have no known current function but appear to have been important in the evolutionary past. There are at least three possible explanations for why vestigial traits are found. Explain each of these possibilities, and describe an experiment you could perform to distinguish between these explanations for a particular vestigial trait.

Accepted Answer

The explanations for the observation of

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true based on the phylogeny shown in the figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Rodents are members of the Eutheria and Carnivora clades. 
B)  Primates are members of the Eutheria and Mammalia clades. 
C)  Monotremata are members of the Eutheria and Mammalia clades. 
D)  Felidae are members are the Carnivora clade, but not the Theria clade. 
A)  Rodents are members of the Eutheria and Carnivora clades. 
B)  Primates are members of the Eutheria and Mammalia clades. 
C)  Monotremata are members of the Eutheria and Mammalia clades. 
D)  Felidae are members are the Carnivora clade, but not the Theria clade.

Question 10

In the figure, the shrublike or treelike species are circled in black, and the remaining species are herbaceous. Based on the figure, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be shorter, and the rates of sequence change more slowly. 
B)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be longer, and the rates of sequence change more slowly. 
C)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be longer, and the rates of sequence change faster. 
D)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be shorter, and the rates of sequence change faster. 
A)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be shorter, and the rates of sequence change more slowly. 
B)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be longer, and the rates of sequence change more slowly. 
C)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be longer, and the rates of sequence change faster. 
D)  For the herbaceous species, the branch lengths tend to be shorter, and the rates of sequence change faster.

Question 11

A paraphyletic group contains

Accepted Answer

A)  the group's most recent common ancestor but not all of its descendants. 
B)  neither the common ancestor of all of its members nor all descendants of that ancestor. 
C)  all descendants of the group's most recent common ancestor and no other members. 
D)  unrelated members. 
A)  the group's most recent common ancestor but not all of its descendants. 
B)  neither the common ancestor of all of its members nor all descendants of that ancestor. 
C)  all descendants of the group's most recent common ancestor and no other members. 
D)  unrelated members.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about pedigrees and phylogenies is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both show the splitting and the recombining of branches or lineages over time. 
B)  Pedigrees tell us about the ancestry of individuals; phylogenies tell us about the ancestry of populations. 
C)  Both expand as one looks backward in time. 
D)  The nodes in a pedigree represent populations; the nodes in a phylogeny represent individuals. 
A)  Both show the splitting and the recombining of branches or lineages over time. 
B)  Pedigrees tell us about the ancestry of individuals; phylogenies tell us about the ancestry of populations. 
C)  Both expand as one looks backward in time. 
D)  The nodes in a pedigree represent populations; the nodes in a phylogeny represent individuals.

Question 13

Phylogenies can be used to distinguish homologous traits from analogous traits. How can this distinction help to generate hypotheses about the role of natural selection in shaping the evolution of a trait?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenies can be used to distinguish h

Question 14

What is different between a rooted and unrooted tree?

Accepted Answer

A)  An unrooted tree indicates the common ancestor from which all species on the tree are derived. 
B)  Relationships on an unrooted tree are not experimentally testable. 
C)  Direction on a rooted tree indicates the passage of time. 
D)  Rooted trees are correct, whereas unrooted trees are incorrect. 
A)  An unrooted tree indicates the common ancestor from which all species on the tree are derived. 
B)  Relationships on an unrooted tree are not experimentally testable. 
C)  Direction on a rooted tree indicates the passage of time. 
D)  Rooted trees are correct, whereas unrooted trees are incorrect.

Question 15

If the tree shown in the figure were rooted at the point labeled B, which of the following would be true?

Accepted Answer

A)  1, 2, and 3 form a monophyletic group. 
B)  3, 4, and 5 form a monophyletic group. 
C)  2, 3, 4, and 5 form a monophyletic group. 
D)  3 and 4 form a monophyletic group. 
A)  1, 2, and 3 form a monophyletic group. 
B)  3, 4, and 5 form a monophyletic group. 
C)  2, 3, 4, and 5 form a monophyletic group. 
D)  3 and 4 form a monophyletic group.

Question 16

On a phylogram, what do branch lengths represent?

Accepted Answer

A)  the passage of time 
B)  the amount of evolutionary change 
C)  how many speciation events have occurred 
D)  the rate of extinction 
A)  the passage of time 
B)  the amount of evolutionary change 
C)  how many speciation events have occurred 
D)  the rate of extinction

Question 17

Although they serve no known current functions, vestigial traits may persist in some organisms for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that

Accepted Answer

A)  the trait is not costly to the organism. 
B)  the trait has some function that we have not identified. 
C)  there is some natural selection against the trait, and it is on its way out-eventually it will be lost. 
D)  natural selection cannot act to eliminate traits. 
A)  the trait is not costly to the organism. 
B)  the trait has some function that we have not identified. 
C)  there is some natural selection against the trait, and it is on its way out-eventually it will be lost. 
D)  natural selection cannot act to eliminate traits.

Question 18

Assume you are an evolutionary biologist who is using coat coloration in several closely related species of mice to reconstruct their evolutionary history. You find that the coat color trait is symplesiomorphic. Why is this a problem for making inferences, and what can you do to help better resolve the species' evolutionary relationships?

Accepted Answer

Symplesiomorphic traits are misleading i

Question 19

Aposematic, or warning, coloration in poison frogs was found by Juan Santos and colleagues to be polyphyletic. What does this indicate about aposematic coloration?

Accepted Answer

A)  It arose in the common ancestor of these frogs. 
B)  It is homologous. 
C)  It is the result of convergent evolution. 
D)  It is an exaptation. 
A)  It arose in the common ancestor of these frogs. 
B)  It is homologous. 
C)  It is the result of convergent evolution. 
D)  It is an exaptation.

Question 20

The figure shows the phylogeny of snakes, Gila monsters, and their relatives. If venom production in snakes and Gila monsters is a homologous trait, would you expect to find venom production in other lizards and iguanas?

Accepted Answer

A)  No. Gila monsters share a common ancestor with other lizards and iguanas, but not with snakes; therefore, the presence of venom production in snakes and Gila monsters does not allow us to hypothesize about venom production in other species. 
B)  No. Homologous traits do not evolve easily; therefore, we would not expect other species to have evolved venom production. 
C)  Yes. If venom is homologous, then the common ancestor of snakes and Gila monsters would have produced venom and it is likely that the other descents of that ancestor would also produce venom. 
D)  Yes. Because snakes and Gila monsters independently evolved venom production, it seems likely that other lizards and iguanas would also be able to evolve venom production. 
A)  No. Gila monsters share a common ancestor with other lizards and iguanas, but not with snakes; therefore, the presence of venom production in snakes and Gila monsters does not allow us to hypothesize about venom production in other species. 
B)  No. Homologous traits do not evolve easily; therefore, we would not expect other species to have evolved venom production. 
C)  Yes. If venom is homologous, then the common ancestor of snakes and Gila monsters would have produced venom and it is likely that the other descents of that ancestor would also produce venom. 
D)  Yes. Because snakes and Gila monsters independently evolved venom production, it seems likely that other lizards and iguanas would also be able to evolve venom production.

The goal of Linnaean taxonomy and the resulting system of scientific nomenclature (convention for naming organisms) was to

Charles Darwin inferred the pattern of common ancestry without understanding the basis for heredity. However, if Darwin's theory of descent with modification is correct, then

Do the five trees shown in the figure represent the same or different relationships among the taxa numbered 1-4? Explain your answer.

Based on the figure, draw three rooted trees that would result from rooting at each of the nodes (A, B, and C) indicated by the labeled dots.

What is the difference between cladograms, phylograms, and chronograms?

Analogous traits are found in two or more species because

Based on the figure, which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following statements is true based on the phylogeny shown in the figure?

In the figure, the shrublike or treelike species are circled in black, and the remaining species are herbaceous. Based on the figure, which of the following statements is true?

A paraphyletic group contains

Which of the following statements about pedigrees and phylogenies is true?

Phylogenies can be used to distinguish homologous traits from analogous traits. How can this distinction help to generate hypotheses about the role of natural selection in shaping the evolution of a trait?

What is different between a rooted and unrooted tree?

If the tree shown in the figure were rooted at the point labeled B, which of the following would be true?

On a phylogram, what do branch lengths represent?

Although they serve no known current functions, vestigial traits may persist in some organisms for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that

Aposematic, or warning, coloration in poison frogs was found by Juan Santos and colleagues to be polyphyletic. What does this indicate about aposematic coloration?

The figure shows the phylogeny of snakes, Gila monsters, and their relatives. If venom production in snakes and Gila monsters is a homologous trait, would you expect to find venom production in other lizards and iguanas?

An Overview of Evolutionary Biology

Early Evolutionary Ideas and Darwin S Insight

Natural Selection

Inferring Phylogeny

Transmission Genetics and the Sources of Genetic Variation

The Genetics of Populations

Evolution in Finite Populations

Evolution at Multiple Loci

Genome Evolution

The Origin and Evolution of Early Life

Major Transitions

Evolution and Development

Species and Speciation

Extinction and Evolutionary Trends

The Evolution of Sex

The Evolution of Sociality

Coevolution

Human Evolution

Evolution and Medicine

Filters

Exam 4: Phylogeny and Evolutionary History

The goal of Linnaean taxonomy and the resulting system of scientific nomenclature (convention for naming organisms) was to

Charles Darwin inferred the pattern of common ancestry without understanding the basis for heredity. However, if Darwin's theory of descent with modification is correct, then

Do the five trees shown in the figure represent the same or different relationships among the taxa numbered 1-4? Explain your answer.

Based on the figure, draw three rooted trees that would result from rooting at each of the nodes (A, B, and C) indicated by the labeled dots.

What is the difference between cladograms, phylograms, and chronograms?

Analogous traits are found in two or more species because

Based on the figure, which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following statements is true based on the phylogeny shown in the figure?

In the figure, the shrublike or treelike species are circled in black, and the remaining species are herbaceous. Based on the figure, which of the following statements is true?

A paraphyletic group contains

Which of the following statements about pedigrees and phylogenies is true?

Phylogenies can be used to distinguish homologous traits from analogous traits. How can this distinction help to generate hypotheses about the role of natural selection in shaping the evolution of a trait?

What is different between a rooted and unrooted tree?

If the tree shown in the figure were rooted at the point labeled B, which of the following would be true?

On a phylogram, what do branch lengths represent?

Although they serve no known current functions, vestigial traits may persist in some organisms for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that

Aposematic, or warning, coloration in poison frogs was found by Juan Santos and colleagues to be polyphyletic. What does this indicate about aposematic coloration?

The figure shows the phylogeny of snakes, Gila monsters, and their relatives. If venom production in snakes and Gila monsters is a homologous trait, would you expect to find venom production in other lizards and iguanas?

An Overview of Evolutionary Biology

Early Evolutionary Ideas and Darwin S Insight

Natural Selection

Inferring Phylogeny

Transmission Genetics and the Sources of Genetic Variation

The Genetics of Populations

Evolution in Finite Populations

Evolution at Multiple Loci

Genome Evolution

The Origin and Evolution of Early Life

Major Transitions

Evolution and Development

Species and Speciation

Extinction and Evolutionary Trends

The Evolution of Sex

The Evolution of Sociality

Coevolution

Human Evolution

Evolution and Medicine

Filters