What is the primary purpose of a phylogenetic tree?

A. To classify organisms based on physical appearance

B. To visualise evolutionary relationships and common ancestry

C. To depict the geographical distribution of species

D. To show the mutation rate of different species

In cladistics, what does a clade represent?

A. A group of species with different ancestors

B. A single branch on a phylogenetic tree

C. A group of species that includes an ancestor and all its descendants

D. The point where two branches diverge on a phylogenetic tree

What are derived characteristics used for in cladistics?

A. Identifying the most ancient species

B. Determining the age of fossils

C. Identifying evolutionary relationships among a set of species

D. Calculating the mutation rate in a lineage

Which of the following is considered an outgroup in cladistics?

A. A species within the clade being studied

B. A species that shares the most recent common ancestor with the clade

C. A species that diverged before the common ancestor of the clade

D. A species that has the most derived characteristics

How is a cladogram different from a phylogenetic tree?

A. A cladogram shows time, while a phylogenetic tree does not

B. A cladogram shows only branching patterns, while a phylogenetic tree shows evolutionary relationships and time

C. A cladogram includes extinct species, while a phylogenetic tree does not

D. A cladogram is used only for animals, while a phylogenetic tree is used for plants

a) Define a phylogenetic tree and explain its importance in visualising evolutionary relationships and common ancestry. [4]

b) Describe how to read and interpret a phylogenetic tree, providing an example for clarification. [3]

a) Explain the concept of cladistics and how it is used to organize organisms based on evolutionary relationships. [3]

b) Define and give examples of clades and derived characteristics. [4]

a) Discuss the role of outgroups in cladistics and explain how cladograms are created and interpreted. [4]

b) Provide an example of a cladogram and explain the evolutionary relationships depicted in it. [3]

a) Explain the process of allopatric speciation and identify a factor that could lead to genetic isolation in this mode of speciation. [4]

b) Contrast allopatric speciation with sympatric speciation, providing an example for each. [4]

c) Discuss how genetic divergence can lead to the formation of new species in allopatric speciation. [3]

a) Define and discuss the significance of derived characteristics in cladistics. [3]

b) Explain how derived characteristics are used to create cladograms, providing a specific example. [4]

c) Discuss the concept of clades and how they represent evolutionary relationships. [4]

What does a node on a phylogenetic tree represent?

A. A point of extinction

B. A point of common ancestry

C. The most derived species

D. The oldest species in the tree

In a phylogenetic tree, what does the length of a branch typically represent?

A. The number of species in a clade

B. The geographical range of a species

C. The amount of evolutionary change or time

D. The size of the organisms

Why is the concept of monophyletic groups important in phylogenetics?

A. They include all the descendants of a common ancestor

B. They represent species with similar physical characteristics

C. They include species from different evolutionary paths

D. They represent the oldest species in a tree

What is the role of molecular data in constructing phylogenetic trees?

A. It is used to determine the physical appearance of ancestors

B. It is used to compare the DNA or protein sequences of different species

C. It is used to calculate the age of fossils

D. It is used to identify the geographical origin of species

Which of the following is NOT a true statement about phylogenetic trees?

A. They can be used to study the evolutionary history of genes

B. They depict the exact evolutionary pathways and all events

C. They can include both extinct and extant species

D. They are hypotheses of evolutionary relationships

a) Discuss the importance of phylogenetic trees in understanding evolutionary relationships and common ancestry. [3]

b) Explain how to interpret the branching patterns and nodes of a phylogenetic tree. [4]

c) Provide an example of a phylogenetic tree and discuss the evolutionary relationships depicted in it. [4]

a) Define and explain the concept of outgroups in cladistics. [3]

b) Discuss how outgroups are used to determine the derived characteristics of the ingroup. [4]

c) Provide an example illustrating the use of an outgroup in creating a cladogram. [4]

a) Define phylogenetic tree and explain its significance in studying evolutionary relationships. [3]

b) Discuss the principles of cladistics and how it aids in the construction of phylogenetic trees. [4]

c) Explain the concept of clades and derived characteristics, providing examples for each. [4]

d) Discuss how outgroups are selected and their role in determining the derived characteristics of the ingroup. [4]

a) Explain the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation, providing an example for each. [4]

b) Discuss the role of reproductive isolation in the process of speciation. [3]

c) Identify and explain different types of barriers to gene flow that contribute to reproductive isolation. [4]

d) Discuss how genetic divergence can eventually lead to the formation of new species, providing a real-world example. [4]

a) Define cladogram and explain how it represents evolutionary relationships among organisms. [3]

b) Discuss the importance of derived characteristics in constructing cladograms and provide an example. [4]

c) Explain the concept of outgroups and their significance in cladistics. [3]

d) Provide an example of a cladogram and interpret the evolutionary relationships depicted in it. [5]