Principles of Cladistics and Molecular Evidence Quiz

Molecular evidence provides direct observation of evolutionary changes

It is essential for determining the age of fossils

Molecular evidence can help identify the geographical distribution of species

It offers a more accurate method than physical characteristics for establishing phylogenetic relationships (correct)

It is based on the study of molecular evidence

It uses visible physical characteristics to determine evolutionary relationships (correct)

It relies on the study of fossils to establish phylogenetic relationships

It focuses on the geographical distribution of species

Traditional taxonomy is based on a species' geographical distribution

Cladistics exclusively relies on the study of fossils

It uses molecular data to classify organisms instead of observable physical traits (correct)

Cladistics focuses on the morphological similarities between species