Phylogeny Worksheet
Explore the principles of phylogeny, phylogenetic trees, and evolutionary relationships between organisms.
Includes
Standards
Topics
Phylogeny: Understanding Evolutionary Relationships
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each question carefully and provide your best answer. For multiple-choice questions, circle the letter corresponding to your choice. For fill-in-the-blank questions, write your answer on the line provided. For short answer questions, use the space provided.
1. What is the primary goal of phylogenetics?
To classify organisms based on their physical appearance.
To determine the evolutionary relationships among organisms.
To name and describe new species.
To study the geographic distribution of species.
2. A shared derived character that distinguishes a clade from other organisms is called a:
Symplesiomorphy
Homoplasy
Synapomorphy
Outgroup
3. A phylogenetic tree is a hypothesis about the relationships among organisms.
4. The concept of states that the simplest explanation for a phylogenetic tree is usually the best.
5. All phylogenetic trees are rooted, meaning they have a common ancestor.
True
False
6. Analogous structures are evidence of shared ancestry.
True
False
7. Briefly explain the difference between homologous and analogous structures in the context of phylogeny.
8. Examine the simplified phylogenetic tree below and answer the questions that follow:
a) Which two organisms are most closely related?
b) Which organism is the outgroup to the clade containing B, C, and D?