Question 1

The parsimony principle can be used to infer phylogenetic trees because
A) evolution is nearly always parsimonious.
B) it is logical to adopt the simplest hypothesis capable of explaining the known facts.
C) once a trait changes, it never reverses condition.
D) all species have an equal probability of evolving.
E) closely related species are always very similar to one another.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

Which of the following groups have separate sets of rules for nomenclature?
A) Animals
B) Plants and fungi
C) Bacteria
D) Viruses
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Plants and fungi have a separate set of rules for nomenclature called the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). Animals follow a different set of rules called the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Bacteria follow the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) and viruses have their own separate system of nomenclature.

Question 3

Which of the following is formed when two branches diverge from one another in a phylogenetic tree?
A) A population
B) A lineage
C) A node
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

When two branches diverge from one another in a phylogenetic tree, it forms a node, which represents the most recent common ancestor of the two branches. A population and a lineage may also be associated with the node but they are not the direct result of the divergence.

Question 4

A shared derived trait, used as the basis for inferring a monophyletic group, is called
A) a synapomorphy.
B) a homoplasy.
C) a parallel trait.
D) a convergent trait.
E) a phylogeny.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A shared derived trait, used as the...

Question 5

If two scientific names are proposed for the same species, how do taxonomists decide which name should be used?
A) The name that provides the most accurate description of the organism is used.
B) The name that was proposed most recently is used.
C) The name that was used in the most recent taxonomic revision is used.
D) The first name to be proposed is used, unless that name was previously used for another species.
E) Taxonomists use whichever name they prefer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If two scientific names are proposed for...

Question 6

Which of the following is not true of maximum likelihood or parsimony methods for inferring phylogeny?
A) The maximum likelihood method requires an explicit model of evolutionary character change.
B) The parsimony method is computationally easier than the maximum likelihood method.
C) The maximum likelihood method is easier to treat in a statistical framework.
D) The maximum likelihood method is most often used with molecular data.
E) Parsimony is usually used to infer time on a phylogenetic tree.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not true...

Question 7

The common ancestor of all of the species displayed in a phylogenetic tree lies at the _______ of the tree.
A) node
B) root
C) tip
D) taxon
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The root of the tree represents the common ancestor of all the species displayed in the phylogenetic tree.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true?
A) Most of the species of animals and plants on Earth have been formally described.
B) New species are continually being discovered.
C) Our knowledge of the "Tree of Life" is nearing completion.
D) There are about one million species living on Earth.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

New species are continually being discovered, meaning that our knowledge of the number and diversity of species on Earth is constantly expanding. While many species have been formally described, there are likely many more that have not yet been discovered or documented. As a result, statement A, C, and D are all incorrect.

Question 9

Drosophila yakuba and D. santomea are each other's closest relatives. Therefore, they are considered _______ species.
A) rooted
B) parapyletic
C) homologous
D) daughter
E) sister

Accepted Answer

Drosophila yakuba and D. santomea are each other's closest relatives, meaning they share a common ancestor more recently than any other species. This makes them sister species. Choice A (rooted) refers to the position of a node on a phylogenetic tree and is not relevant to this question. Choice B (parapyletic) refers to a group that includes some but not all of the descendants of a common ancestor, but this does not apply to the relationship between D. yakuba and D. santomea. Choice C (homologous) refers to traits that are similar due to common ancestry, but again, it is not relevant in this context. Choice D (daughter) refers to a taxon that is within a larger taxon, but this is not applicable as both species are distinct taxonomic units.

Question 10

Which of the following properties of HIV makes it difficult to trace the source of the virus from one person to the next?
A) The transmission of the virus involves very few (often just one) viral particles.
B) HIV evolves very slowly within the host.
C) The host can have a genetically diverse population of viruses.
D) Molecular phylogenies of viruses cannot be constructed.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The host can have a genetically diverse population of viruses. HIV has a high mutation rate and can rapidly accumulate genetic diversity within a single infected individual, resulting in a diverse population of viral variants. This makes it difficult to trace the source of the virus from one person to the next.

Question 11

What accounts for HIV's rapid rate of evolution?
A) Its poor repair system causes it to have a high mutation rate.
B) It is subject to strong stabilizing selection.
C) Many viral particles are transmitted upon each infection.
D) Both b and c
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

HIV's rapid rate of evolution is primarily due to its high mutation rate, which is a result of its poor repair system during replication.

Question 12

The study of biodiversity is called
A) homology.
B) homoplasy.
C) systematics.
D) phylogeny.
E) synapomorphy.

Accepted Answer

Systematics is the study of biodiversity, including the identification, naming, and classification of species, as well as the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships between them. Homology, homoplasy, phylogeny, and synapomorphy are all concepts related to systematics, but not the study of biodiversity as a whole.

Question 13

Phylogenetic trees may be constructed for
A) genes.
B) species.
C) major evolutionary groups.
D) viruses.
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic trees can be constructed for any group of organisms that are related through evolution, including genes, species, major evolutionary groups, and viruses. Therefore, option E is the correct answer as it combines all the possible choices.

Question 14

The evolutionary relationship among organisms is known as
A) taxonomy.
B) phylogeny.
C) paraphyly.
D) synapomorphy.
E) homoplasy.

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary relationship among organisms is known as phylogeny. Phylogeny is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms. It involves tracing the descent of groups of organisms from a common ancestor over millions of years of evolutionary time. Taxonomy is the science of classifying and naming organisms based on their characteristics, while paraphyly, synapomorphy, and homoplasy are concepts related to phylogenetic analysis.

Question 15

Which of the following can never be homologous features?
A) DNA sequences
B) Anatomical structures
C) Inherited behavioral patterns
D) Secondary structures of proteins
E) All of the above have the potential to be homologous features.

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed have the potential to be homologous features as they can all be derived from a common ancestor.

Question 16

The wasp genus Nasonia contains all of the descendants of the common ancestor of its members. This genus therefore would be called
A) a synapomorphy.
B) a polyphyly.
C) a clade.
D) parsimonious.
E) self-compatible.

Accepted Answer

The definition of a clade is a group of organisms that includes all descendants of a common ancestor. Nasonia contains all descendants of the common ancestor of its members, so it fits this definition. A synapomorphy is a shared derived character that identifies a clade, and polyphyly refers to a group that does not include all descendants of a common ancestor. Parsimonious refers to the principle of choosing the simplest explanation with the fewest assumptions. Self-compatible refers to the ability of a plant to fertilize itself.

Question 17

A clade is
A) a type of phylogenetic tree.
B) a group of evolutionarily related species that share a common ancestor.
C) a tool for constructing phylogenetic trees.
D) an extinct species.
E) an ancestral species.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A clade is
A) a type of phylogenetic...

Question 18

Which of the following are commonly used to infer phylogenetic relationships among plants but not among animals?
A) Nuclear genes
B) Chloroplast genes
C) Mitochondrial genes
D) Ribosomal RNA genes
E) Protein-coding genes

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are commonly used...

Question 19

Taxonomists strive to include taxa in biological classifications that are
A) monophyletic.
B) paraphyletic.
C) polyphyletic.
D) homoplastic.
E) monomorphic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Taxonomists strive to include taxa in biological...

Question 20

Convergent evolution and evolutionary reversal are two sources of
A) homology.
B) parsimony.
C) synapomorphy.
D) monophyly.
E) homoplasy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Convergent evolution and evolutionary reversal are two...

Quiz 22: Reconstructing and Using Phylogenies

The parsimony principle can be used to infer phylogenetic trees because

Which of the following groups have separate sets of rules for nomenclature?

Which of the following is formed when two branches diverge from one another in a phylogenetic tree?

A shared derived trait, used as the basis for inferring a monophyletic group, is called

If two scientific names are proposed for the same species, how do taxonomists decide which name should be used?

Which of the following is not true of maximum likelihood or parsimony methods for inferring phylogeny?

The common ancestor of all of the species displayed in a phylogenetic tree lies at the _______ of the tree.

Which of the following statements is true?

Drosophila yakuba and D. santomea are each other's closest relatives. Therefore, they are considered _______ species.

Which of the following properties of HIV makes it difficult to trace the source of the virus from one person to the next?

What accounts for HIV's rapid rate of evolution?

The study of biodiversity is called

Phylogenetic trees may be constructed for

The evolutionary relationship among organisms is known as

Which of the following can never be homologous features?

The wasp genus Nasonia contains all of the descendants of the common ancestor of its members. This genus therefore would be called

A clade is

Which of the following are commonly used to infer phylogenetic relationships among plants but not among animals?

Taxonomists strive to include taxa in biological classifications that are

Convergent evolution and evolutionary reversal are two sources of