AP Biology - Phylogenetic Trees Flashcards

What is a phylogenetic tree used for?

What is the name of a type of phylogenetic tree?

From whom did the idea of a phylogenetic tree come?

What does each line on a phylogenetic tree represent?

What does the distance between each line on a phylogenetic tree mean?

What does the line that connects all the branches represent on a phylogenetic tree?

What can you see in a rooted phylogenetic tree?

What is another name for the common ancestor in a phylogenetic tree?

Does an unrooted phylogenetic tree show the common ancestor?

What is another term for clade?

How do you know if you have a monophyletic group or not?

True or false: The information on patterns of evolutionary descent are the same regardless of the lengths of the branches in a phylogenetic tree?

Phylogenetic Trees Overview

Phylogenetic trees illustrate evolutionary relationships among different species.
Cladogram is a specific type of phylogenetic tree used for branching diagrams.

Key Definitions

A clade is a group consisting of all organisms that share common traits derived from a common ancestor.
Charles Darwin introduced the concept of phylogenetic trees in evolutionary biology.

Structure and Interpretation

Each line on a phylogenetic tree symbolizes an individual organism.
The length of the lines indicates the estimated time since the last common ancestor shared by the organisms.
The connecting line between branches symbolizes the common ancestor of the descendant groups.

Types of Phylogenetic Trees

A rooted phylogenetic tree displays the outlying line connecting to the common ancestor.
An outgroup refers to the common ancestor in a phylogenetic tree.
Unrooted phylogenetic trees do not indicate the presence of a common ancestor.

Clades and Groups

The term "monophyletic group" is synonymous with clade.
A monophyletic group is identified when all descendants of a particular species are included.

Evolutionary Patterns

The overall patterns of evolutionary descent remain consistent, regardless of branch lengths on the tree.

Test your knowledge on phylogenetic trees with these flashcards. Learn about the definitions, types like cladograms, and the origins of this concept from Charles Darwin. Perfect for AP Biology students looking to reinforce their understanding of evolutionary relationships.