#1
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of molecular evolution?
Convergent evolution
ExplanationDifferent species independently evolving similar traits.
#2
Which of the following is a correct definition of a phylogenetic tree?
A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among organisms
ExplanationGraphic representation of evolutionary connections among species.
#3
What is the molecular clock hypothesis?
A theory that mutations accumulate at a constant rate
ExplanationMutations occurring steadily over time regardless of species.
#4
What is the purpose of a phylogenetic analysis?
To reconstruct the evolutionary history of organisms
ExplanationUnderstanding the evolutionary lineage of species.
#5
Which of the following is a limitation of the molecular clock hypothesis?
It assumes a constant mutation rate across lineages
ExplanationNot accounting for varying mutation rates in different species.
#6
What is the significance of the neutral theory of molecular evolution?
It suggests that most molecular variation is selectively neutral
ExplanationHighlighting the prevalence of non-selective mutations.
#7
In phylogenetics, what is a sister taxon?
A taxon that is closely related but not ancestral
ExplanationSpecies sharing a recent common ancestor.
#8
What is a substitution rate in molecular evolution?
The rate at which mutations accumulate in a gene or genome over time
ExplanationFrequency of genetic changes within a given timeframe.
#9
What is the molecular basis of convergent evolution?
Similar environmental pressures leading to similar adaptations
ExplanationDistinct species evolving comparable traits under similar conditions.
#10
What is a molecular phylogeny?
An analysis of the evolutionary relationships using molecular data
ExplanationStudying evolutionary links through molecular evidence.
#11
What is the purpose of a bootstrap analysis in phylogenetics?
To estimate the accuracy of a phylogenetic tree
ExplanationDetermining confidence levels in evolutionary relationships.
#12
What is a molecular clock?
A model that predicts the rate of molecular evolution
ExplanationPredicting evolutionary timelines based on genetic changes.
#13
What is a molecular homoplasy?
A similarity in DNA sequences due to convergent evolution
ExplanationDNA sequence resemblance due to independent evolution.
#14
What is the difference between parsimony and maximum likelihood methods in phylogenetics?
Parsimony minimizes the number of evolutionary changes, while maximum likelihood estimates the probability of a tree given the data
ExplanationParsimony preferring simplicity, maximum likelihood assessing likelihood of data.
#15
How does gene duplication contribute to molecular evolution?
It provides redundancy in genetic information, allowing for evolutionary innovation
ExplanationDoubling genetic material enabling evolutionary experimentation.
#16
What is the purpose of using outgroup species in phylogenetic analysis?
To root the tree and infer the direction of evolutionary change
ExplanationProviding reference for evolutionary directionality.