Question 1

Phylogenetic trees can be used to infer character states of extinct organisms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Data from phylogenies based on living organisms and data from the fossil record are in agreement when the tree of life is examined as a whole, but are often contradictory when individual branches are examined.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Characters that are similar because of descent from a common ancestor are:

Accepted Answer

A) homologous. 
B) analogous. 
C) examples of convergent evolution. 
D) synapomorphies. 
A) homologous. 
B) analogous. 
C) examples of convergent evolution. 
D) synapomorphies.

Question 4

Compared with more distantly related taxa, the DNA sequences of two closely related taxa are expected to show:

Accepted Answer

A) fewer differences because mutation rates are usually relatively constant and recently diverging species have had less time to accumulate differences. 
B) fewer differences because mutation rates slow down after speciation events so that recently diverging species have fewer mutations. 
C) fewer differences because mutation rates are highly variable and it is just by chance that recently diverging species accumulate fewer differences in DNA sequences. 
D) more differences because mutation rates are relatively constant and recently diverging species have had more time to accumulate differences. 
E) more differences because mutation rates accelerate during speciation events, leading to more changes in DNA sequences. 
A) fewer differences because mutation rates are usually relatively constant and recently diverging species have had less time to accumulate differences. 
B) fewer differences because mutation rates slow down after speciation events so that recently diverging species have fewer mutations. 
C) fewer differences because mutation rates are highly variable and it is just by chance that recently diverging species accumulate fewer differences in DNA sequences. 
D) more differences because mutation rates are relatively constant and recently diverging species have had more time to accumulate differences. 
E) more differences because mutation rates accelerate during speciation events, leading to more changes in DNA sequences.

Question 5

The tips of the branches on a phylogenetic tree represent:

Accepted Answer

A) present-day groups or extinct taxa. 
B) common ancestors. 
C) analogies. 
D) sister groups. 
E) homologies. 
A) present-day groups or extinct taxa. 
B) common ancestors. 
C) analogies. 
D) sister groups. 
E) homologies.

Question 6

What is a trace fossil?

Accepted Answer

A) a small fossil 
B) markings in sediments that reflect the movements or burrows of organisms 
C) a fossil that is part of a series of fossils that trace the evolution of a group of species 
D) a fossil that allows scientists to trace the movement of the fossilized organism 
A) a small fossil 
B) markings in sediments that reflect the movements or burrows of organisms 
C) a fossil that is part of a series of fossils that trace the evolution of a group of species 
D) a fossil that allows scientists to trace the movement of the fossilized organism

Question 7

To be useful for phylogenetic reconstruction, a taxonomic character must exhibit which of the following properties?

Accepted Answer

A) It must vary among the taxa being analyzed, but not within individual taxa. 
B) It must have a genetic basis. 
C) It must be anatomical. 
D) It must be molecular (DNA or protein). 
E) None of the other answer options is correct. 
A) It must vary among the taxa being analyzed, but not within individual taxa. 
B) It must have a genetic basis. 
C) It must be anatomical. 
D) It must be molecular (DNA or protein). 
E) None of the other answer options is correct.

Question 8

The _____ level of the taxonomic hierarchy is more inclusive than a family, but less inclusive than a class.

Accepted Answer

A) order 
B) phylum 
C) kingdom 
D) genus 
E) species 
A) order 
B) phylum 
C) kingdom 
D) genus 
E) species

Question 9

The order of groups along the tips of a phylogenetic tree indicates how closely those groups are related.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A) The fossil record and comparative biology agree at all scales of observation. 
B) The fossil record and comparative biology agree only when individual branches of the tree of life are observed. 
C) The fossil record and comparative biology agree only when the tree of life as a whole is observed. 
D) The fossil record and comparative biology agree only when larger branches of the tree of life are observed. 
E) The fossil record and comparative biology do not agree at any scale of observation. 
A) The fossil record and comparative biology agree at all scales of observation. 
B) The fossil record and comparative biology agree only when individual branches of the tree of life are observed. 
C) The fossil record and comparative biology agree only when the tree of life as a whole is observed. 
D) The fossil record and comparative biology agree only when larger branches of the tree of life are observed. 
E) The fossil record and comparative biology do not agree at any scale of observation.

Question 11

Imagine that a researcher has created two possible phylogenetic trees for a group of organismsF1F1F1S1F1F1F10one that hypothesizes that five character changes occurred in a given group, and one that predicts only two character changes occurred in the same group. If the researcher wants to choose a phylogenetic tree based on parsimony, she will pick the phylogenetic tree with two character changes as her working hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

A) Phylogenetic trees are only constructed based on morphological data; molecular data (even for viruses)is never used in the construction of such trees. 
B) As synapomorphies only occur for morphological characters, molecular sequence synapomorphies cannot be used to construct phylogenetic trees. 
C) Both morphological and molecular synapomorphies can be used to construct phylogenetic trees. 
D) Phylogenetic trees based on molecular sequence data always assume that the rate of evolution varies between different organisms. 
E) Phylogenetic trees are always constructed based on morphological or molecular sequence dataF1F1F1S1F1F1F10never both. 
A) Phylogenetic trees are only constructed based on morphological data; molecular data (even for viruses)is never used in the construction of such trees. 
B) As synapomorphies only occur for morphological characters, molecular sequence synapomorphies cannot be used to construct phylogenetic trees. 
C) Both morphological and molecular synapomorphies can be used to construct phylogenetic trees. 
D) Phylogenetic trees based on molecular sequence data always assume that the rate of evolution varies between different organisms. 
E) Phylogenetic trees are always constructed based on morphological or molecular sequence dataF1F1F1S1F1F1F10never both.

Question 13

Among the organisms listed below, which is MOST likely to be fossilized?

Accepted Answer

A) earthworm 
B) clam 
C) house flies 
D) jellyfish 
A) earthworm 
B) clam 
C) house flies 
D) jellyfish

Question 14

Fossils' contributions to phylogenetic trees include:

Accepted Answer

A) time calibration. 
B) records of extinct species. 
C) correlation between evolution and Earth's environmental history. 
D) All of these choices are correct. 
A) time calibration. 
B) records of extinct species. 
C) correlation between evolution and Earth's environmental history. 
D) All of these choices are correct.

Exam 23: Evolutionary Patterns: Phylogeny and Fossils

Phylogenetic trees can be used to infer character states of extinct organisms.

Data from phylogenies based on living organisms and data from the fossil record are in agreement when the tree of life is examined as a whole, but are often contradictory when individual branches are examined.

Characters that are similar because of descent from a common ancestor are:

Compared with more distantly related taxa, the DNA sequences of two closely related taxa are expected to show:

The tips of the branches on a phylogenetic tree represent:

What is a trace fossil?

To be useful for phylogenetic reconstruction, a taxonomic character must exhibit which of the following properties?

The _____ level of the taxonomic hierarchy is more inclusive than a family, but less inclusive than a class.

The order of groups along the tips of a phylogenetic tree indicates how closely those groups are related.

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding phylogenetic trees?

Among the organisms listed below, which is MOST likely to be fossilized?

Fossils' contributions to phylogenetic trees include:

Life: Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations

The Molecules of Life

Nucleic Acids and Transcription

Translation and Protein Structure

Organizing Principles: Lipids, Membranes, and Cell Compartments

Making Life Work: Capturing and Using Energy

Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Energy From Carbohydrates and Other Fuel Molecules

Photosynthesis: Using Sunlight to Build Carbohydrates

Cell Signaling

Cell and Tissue Architecture: Cytoskeleton, Cell Junctions, and Extracellular Matrix

Cell Division: Variations, Regulation, and Cancer

Dna Replication and Manipulation

Genomes

Mutation and Dna Repair

Genetic Variation

Mendelian Inheritance

Inheritance of Sex Chromosomes, Linked Genes, and Organelles

The Genetic and Environmental Basis of Complex Traits

Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation

Genes and Development

Evolution: How Genotypes and Phenotypes Change Over Time

Species and Speciation

Human Origins and Evolution

Cycling Carbon

Bacteria and Archaea

Eukaryotic Cells: Origins and Diversity

Being Multicellular

Plant Structure and Function: Moving Photosynthesis Onto Land

Plant Reproduction: Finding Mates and Dispersing Young

Plant Growth and Development

Plant Defense: Keeping the World Green

Plant Diversity

Fungi: Structure, Function, and Diversity

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Sensory Systems and Brain Function

Animal Movement: Muscles and Skeletons

Animal Endocrine Systems

Animal Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Animal Metabolism, Nutrition, and Digestion

Animal Renal Systems: Water and Waste

Animal Reproduction and Development

Animal Immune Systems

Animal Diversity

Animal Behavior

Population Ecology

Species Interactions, Communities, and Ecosystems

Biomes and Global Ecology

The Anthropocene: Humans As a Planetary Force

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