Homo Luzonensis and Human Evolution

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Questions and Answers

Why can all insects be considered a clade?

They exhibit convergent evolution.
They share a recent common ancestor. (correct)
They have identical DNA sequences.
They all possess analogous structures.

In the context of evolutionary biology, what is the key difference between analogous and homologous structures?

Analogous structures arise from convergent evolution, while homologous structures share a common ancestry. (correct)
Analogous structures share a common ancestor, while homologous structures do not.
Analogous structures are genetically similar, while homologous structures are genetically distinct.
Analogous structures are found in the same geographical locations, while homologous structures are not.

According to the provided cladogram, which group is most closely related to butterflies and moths?

Flies (correct)
Bats
All insects
Birds

What is the primary purpose of using cladograms in studying organisms?

To graphically represent the hypothetical evolutionary relationships between different groups of organisms. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What advancement has significantly contributed to the field of molecular systematics?

The advancement of DNA technology and analysis. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Wings of a bird and wings of a bat are both homologous and analogous. What does this indicate about their evolutionary relationship?

They share a common ancestor, and their wings evolved from a shared structure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for scientists to distinguish between analogous and homologous features when studying phylogeny?

Homologous features can be used to determine evolutionary relationships, whereas analogous features can be misleading. (B) Signup and view all the answers

DNA is a molecule comprised of building blocks called bases. Which of the following correctly lists the four types of bases that make up DNA?

Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine (C) Signup and view all the answers

In a phylogenetic tree, what does the position of a branch point to the right of another typically indicate?

The taxa diverged later than the taxa represented by the other branch point. (A) Signup and view all the answers

If a phylogenetic tree shows a polytomy, what does this imply about the evolutionary relationships among the taxa involved?

The evolutionary relationships among the taxa are not yet clear. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of branch length in a cladogram?

It sometimes signifies the degree of divergence or relatedness among taxa. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In constructing a phylogenetic tree using DNA sequences, why are evolutionarily related species compared?

To trace their descent from a common ancestor. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the described method for building phylogenetic trees, which sequences are inferred to be most closely related?

Sequences with the least differences. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a root in a cladogram from other nodes?

The root indicates a hypothetical common ancestor for all organisms within the cladogram. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes 'sister taxa'?

Taxa that share an immediate common ancestor. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the use of molecular evidence, such as DNA sequencing, enhance cladogram construction?

It offers a more direct measure of genetic relationships, reducing ambiguity from convergent evolution. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between using morphological characters versus molecular characters in constructing a cladogram?

Molecular characters can reveal relationships not evident through physical traits due to convergent evolution or cryptic species. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'root node' represent in a phylogenetic tree?

The most recent common ancestor of all taxa in the tree. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes constraints in cladogram construction?

Cladograms are hypotheses based on available evidence, and can change as new data emerges. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a lineage in the context of a phylogenetic tree?

A taxon and all of its ancestors. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of identifying taxa A and C as closely related during the construction of a phylogenetic tree?

It suggests A and C share a relatively recent common ancestor compared to other taxa. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Consider a cladogram where birds and crocodiles share a more recent common ancestor than either does with lizards. Which of the following is a valid conclusion?

The cladogram suggests a closer evolutionary relationship between birds and crocodiles than between either and lizards. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cladistics, what is the significance of an 'outgroup' when constructing a cladogram?

The outgroup helps to determine the ancestral state of traits within the ingroup. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is constructing a cladogram of several closely related plant species but encounters conflicting data: morphological data suggests one relationship, while preliminary molecular data suggests another. What should the researcher do?

Investigate the conflict by gathering and analyzing additional morphological and molecular data to resolve the incongruence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of introducing a gene from a plant with high beta-carotene (like carrots) into rice to create Golden Rice?

To enhance the rice plant's ability to synthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of genetic engineering, what role does DNA ligase play?

It permanently seals the sugar-phosphate backbones of DNA strands to create a stable recombinant DNA molecule. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of transferring a recombinant plasmid into a host cell?

To enable the cell to replicate the plasmid and produce multiple copies of the recombined DNA. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common method for transferring recombinant plasmids into a host cell?

Gel electrophoresis (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of selection markers, such as antibiotic resistance genes, in the process of creating recombinant organisms?

To identify and screen cells that have successfully incorporated the gene of interest. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Flavr-Savr tomatoes, what is the role of antisense RNA?

To disrupt the expression of the enzyme that causes pectin degradation, thereby delaying softening. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of disrupting a gene's expression in genetic engineering?

To enhance a present trait by slowing down or stopping the expression of a specific gene. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is attempting to create a genetically modified plant that is resistant to a specific herbicide. After introducing the resistance gene into plant cells, what is the next crucial step to ensure the success of the experiment?

Selecting and screening the cells to identify those that have successfully incorporated the herbicide resistance gene. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The discovery of Homo remains in the Philippines suggests what about early humans?

They possessed seafaring capabilities earlier than previously believed. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What prompted researchers to return to Callao Cave in 2007 after initially abandoning the site?

The discovery of Homo floresiensis demonstrated the possibility of ancient humans reaching isolated islands. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the fossil remains found in Callao Cave, what can be inferred about the physical characteristics of Homo?

They exhibited a mix of modern and ancient traits, such as teeth resembling modern humans but hands and feet similar to australopithecines. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the size of the teeth found in the Callao Cave contribute to the understanding of Homo?

The teeth suggested the overall body size of the species. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant implication of finding Homo remains on an island like Luzon, which has never been connected to the Asian mainland?

It challenges long-held assumptions about the geographical limitations of early human migration. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which hominin species, besides Homo, is believed to have potentially reached the vicinity of Papua New Guinea?

Denisovans (B) Signup and view all the answers

The discovery of Homo floresiensis on the island of Flores challenged the idea that early humans lacked seafaring skills. What geographical feature of Flores made this discovery particularly significant?

Flores was isolated by a deep channel, requiring a water crossing to reach the island. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What specific anatomical features of the Homo remains found in Callao Cave suggest a relationship with the more ancient australopithecines?

Hand and feet structure (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between taxa in the Linnaean system of classification?

Kingdoms are the most inclusive taxa, comprising organisms with few fundamental similarities. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct format for writing a species name in binomial nomenclature?

Genus is capitalized, the specific epithet is lowercase, and the entire name is either italicized, underlined, or in bold letters. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary significance of 'sticky ends' produced by restriction enzymes in recombinant DNA technology?

They facilitate the formation of hydrogen bonds with complementary sequences on other DNA molecules. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A scientist identifies a new organism that can interbreed with Canis lupus and produce fertile offspring. Which of the following conclusions is most accurate according to the Linnaean system?

The new organism belongs to the same species as Canis lupus. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In recombinant DNA technology, if a restriction enzyme cuts a DNA sequence at the restriction site `5'-GAATTC-3'`, what complementary sequence will the sticky end be able to bind to?

<code>5'-CTTAAG-3'</code> (C) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is using restriction enzymes to insert a gene into a plasmid. After digestion, both the gene and the plasmid have compatible sticky ends. What is the next step required to create a stable recombinant DNA molecule?

Treating the DNA with a ligase to covalently join the DNA backbones. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the correct order of taxa from the most inclusive to the least inclusive, according to the Linnaean system?

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important that the same restriction enzyme is used to cut both the DNA containing the desired gene and the plasmid vector in recombinant DNA technology?

To create complementary sticky ends that can anneal together. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Homo erectus

An early human species known for migrating out of Africa to places like China and Indonesia.

Denisovans

A mysterious relative of Neanderthals thought to have reached Papua New Guinea.