Biology Taxonomy Quiz

Questions and Answers

On a phylogenetic tree, which term refers to lineages that diverged from the same place?

Dichotomous taxa

Sister taxa (correct)

Rooted taxa

Basal taxa

Which statement about the taxonomic classification system is correct?

Classes are divisions of orders.

Kingdoms are the top category of classification.

Subspecies are the most specific category of classification. (correct)

There are more domains than kingdoms.

What do scientists in the field of systematics accomplish?

Communicate among field biologists

Discover new fossil sites

Name new species

Organize and classify organisms (correct)

What is used to determine phylogeny?

Evolutionary history Signup and view all the answers

Why do scientists apply the concept of maximum parsimony?

To decipher accurate phylogenies Signup and view all the answers

What is true about organisms that are a part of the same clade?

They evolved from a shared ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What do scientists use to apply cladistics?

Homologous traits Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about analogies is correct?

They are derived by similar environmental constraints. Signup and view all the answers

The transfer of genes by a mechanism not involving asexual reproduction is called:

Horizontal gene transfer Signup and view all the answers

Particles that transfer genetic material from one species to another, especially in marine prokaryotes:

Gene transfer agents Signup and view all the answers

What does the trunk of the classic phylogenetic tree represent?

Single common ancestor Signup and view all the answers

Which phylogenetic model proposes that all three domains of life evolved from a pool of primitive prokaryotes?

Ring of life Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Phylogenetic Trees

Sister taxa refer to lineages that diverged from a common ancestor on a phylogenetic tree.
The trunk of a classic phylogenetic tree symbolizes a single common ancestor for all organisms in its branches.

Taxonomic Classification System

Subspecies represent the most specific category in the taxonomic classification hierarchy.
There are more domains (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya) than kingdoms in biological classification.

Systematics

Scientists in systematics focus on organizing and classifying organisms to better understand biodiversity.

Determining Phylogeny

Evolutionary history serves as the key factor for determining the phylogeny of organisms.

Maximum Parsimony

The concept of maximum parsimony is employed by scientists to decipher accurate phylogenies by simplifying complex evolutionary scenarios.

Clades

Organisms within the same clade have evolved from a shared ancestor, implying a common evolutionary path.

Cladistics

Cladistics utilizes homologous traits (traits derived from a common ancestor) to classify organisms into monophyletic groups.

Analogies

Analogies arise due to similar environmental constraints, rather than from shared ancestry like homologous traits.

Gene Transfer Mechanisms

Horizontal gene transfer refers to the transfer of genetic material between organisms not involving asexual reproduction.
Gene transfer agents are particles that facilitate the transfer of genetic material between species, particularly in marine prokaryotes.

Phylogenetic Models

The ring of life model proposes that all three domains of life evolved from a common pool of primitive prokaryotes, indicating interconnected evolution.

Description

Test your knowledge on the concepts of taxonomy and phylogenetic trees. This quiz covers the classification of organisms and their evolutionary relationships. Challenge yourself with questions about sister taxa and the taxonomic hierarchy.