Cladistics Biology Quiz

Charles Darwin is known as the father of evolution because he proposed the theory of natural selection, which explains how species evolve over time. Darwin's groundbreaking work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, presented evidence for the idea that all species are descended from a common ancestor and that the process of natural selection is the driving force behind the diversity of life on Earth. His theory revolutionized the field of biology and remains one of the most important scientific ideas in history.

A node in biology refers to a point where a branch splits and represents the common ancestor of two or more descendant species. It is a point of divergence in the evolutionary tree, indicating the point where two organisms split from a common ancestor and started evolving separately. Therefore, the correct answer is "Node" as it accurately describes the placement where two organisms are split.

Morphology refers to the study of the physical characteristics of organisms. This includes the shape, structure, and form of an organism, as well as its external features and internal organs. By studying morphology, scientists can gain insights into the evolutionary relationships between different species and understand how organisms are adapted to their environment.

The trait that separates sharks from ray-finned fishes is the presence of a bony skeleton. Sharks have a cartilaginous skeleton, which is flexible and lighter than a bony skeleton. Ray-finned fishes, on the other hand, have a bony skeleton consisting of rigid bones that provide support and protection. This key difference in skeletal structure is what distinguishes sharks from ray-finned fishes.

Plesiomorphy refers to ancestral traits that a taxon retains throughout its evolution. It represents characteristics that are shared with the common ancestor of a group but may not be unique to that group. Homoplasy refers to traits that are similar but not derived from a common ancestor. Apomorphy refers to derived traits that are unique to a particular group. Genetic mutation is a general term for any change in the DNA sequence.

Hair is the most recently evolved among the given options. This is because hair is a characteristic feature of mammals, which evolved relatively recently in the history of life on Earth. Hair provides various functions such as insulation, protection, and sensory perception, and is believed to have evolved from scales or feathers. On the other hand, walking legs and amniotic eggs are evolutionary adaptations that appeared much earlier in the history of life, with walking legs evolving in arthropods and amniotic eggs evolving in reptiles. Therefore, hair is the correct answer as the most recently evolved feature.

Willi Hennig is credited with discovering Cladistics biology. Cladistics is a method of classifying organisms based on their evolutionary relationships. Hennig developed this approach in the 1950s and 1960s, revolutionizing the field of evolutionary biology. He proposed that organisms should be classified based on their shared derived characteristics, rather than simply relying on overall similarity. This approach allowed for a more accurate understanding of the evolutionary history and relationships among different species. Hennig's work laid the foundation for modern phylogenetic analysis and has had a significant impact on the field of biology.

Crocodiles and amphibians have a bony skeleton and vertebrae in common. A bony skeleton provides support and protection for the body, while vertebrae are the bones that make up the backbone. This trait is shared by both crocodiles and amphibians, distinguishing them from other options such as eggs and limbs, four limbs and eggs, or hair and scales.

Lampreys do not produce amniotic eggs. Amniotic eggs are the characteristic feature of reptiles, birds, and mammals, allowing them to reproduce on land. Lampreys, on the other hand, are primitive jawless fish that reproduce by external fertilization in water. They do not have the specialized structures necessary for the development and protection of amniotic eggs.

Cladistics classification was invented in 1950.