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Flashcards: Content comprehension

Adapted from "Taking a Second Look: An Analysis of Genetic Markers in Species Relatedness" by Joseph Ritchie (2014)

Phylogenetics is the study of genetic composition in various species and is used by evolutionary biologists to investigate similarities in the molecular sequences of proteins in varying organisms. The amino acid sequences that build proteins are used to construct mathematical matrices that aid in determining evolutionary ties through the investigation of percentage similarities. The study of these matrices helps to expose evolutionary relationships between species that may not have the same overt characteristics.

Species adapt and evolve based on the pressures that exist in their environment. Climate, food source, and habitat availability are only a few factors that act on species adaptation. These stressors can alter the physical characteristics of organisms. This divergence in evolution has made it difficult to determine the interrelatedness of organisms by analyzing their physical characteristics alone.

For instance, looking only at physical characteristics, the ghost bat resembles a pigeon more than a spider monkey; however, phylogenetics has found that the amino acid sequences that construct the beta hemoglobin molecules of bats are twenty percent more similar to those of mammalian primates than those of birds. This helps reject the assumption that common physical characteristics between species are all that is needed to determine relatedness.

The differences produced by divergent evolution observed in the forest-dwelling, arboreal spider monkey and the nocturnal, airborne ghost bat can be reconciled through homology. Homologous characteristics are anatomical traits that are similar in two or more different species. For instance, the bone structure of a spider monkey’s wrist and fingers greatly resembles that of a bat’s wing or even a whale’s fin. These similarities are reinforced by phylogenetic evidence that supports the idea that physically dissimilar species can be evolutionarily related through anatomical and genetic similarities.

Which of the following choices represents the primary difficulty encountered in studies of interrelatedness based on physical features?

Complexity of beta hemoglobin

Lack of fossil evidence

Physical fitness

Divergent evolution

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Flashcards: Content comprehension

Which of the following choices represents the primary difficulty encountered in studies of interrelatedness based on physical features?

Your answer:

Complexity of beta hemoglobin

Your answer:

Lack of fossil evidence

Your answer:

Physical fitness

Correct answer:

Divergent evolution

Explanation:

Divergent evolution is stated as the primary reason that physical appearances can change between species while genetic structure remains markedly similar. The passage states that this is an issue for those who study species evolution because some species may appear to be dissimilar in appearance but contain genetic commonalities.

Flashcards: Content comprehension

Adapted from "Taking a Second Look: An Analysis of Genetic Markers in Species Relatedness" by Joseph Ritchie (2014)

The central idea of this passage is best described by which of the following statements?

Despite differences in physical appearance, genetic similarities can aid in determining species relatedness and evolutionary histories

Physical appearances are always reliable markers for species relatedness and evolutionary histories

Genetic analysis is the only method of studying evolutionary ties and species relatedness

Phylogenetics is a relatively new area of study and has yet to yield supported conclusions on evolutionary histories

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Flashcards: Content comprehension

The central idea of this passage is best described by which of the following statements?

Your answer:

Physical appearances are always reliable markers for species relatedness and evolutionary histories

Your answer:

Genetic analysis is the only method of studying evolutionary ties and species relatedness

Your answer:

Phylogenetics is a relatively new area of study and has yet to yield supported conclusions on evolutionary histories

Correct answer:

Despite differences in physical appearance, genetic similarities can aid in determining species relatedness and evolutionary histories

Explanation:

This is the correct answer because it is the only statement that is supported by the passage. The passage introduces the field of phylogenetics and the need to explore evolution beyond simple examination of physical characteristics. It does not state which field of study is better or correct. It simply states that they compliment the same cause: the study of relatedness. The other choices are unsupported opinions. The answer choice about divergent evolution is incorrect because while the passage's fourth paragraph is about divergent evolution, the entire passage encompasses many more topics.

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Flashcards: Content comprehension

Flashcards: Content comprehension

Flashcards: Content comprehension

Flashcards: Content comprehension

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Flashcards: Content comprehension

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Flashcards: Content comprehension

Flashcards: Content comprehension

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Complaint Details

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