Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to phylogeny and the classification of life as discussed in the lecture.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species or group of related species.

Taxonomy

The science that names, describes, and classifies the diverse forms of life.

Binomial nomenclature

A two-part scientific naming system created by Carolus Linnaeus; includes the genus and specific epithet.

Hierarchical classification

A method of grouping species into a hierarchy of increasingly inclusive categories.

Phylogenetic tree

A diagram that represents hypotheses about the evolutionary relationships among different organisms.

Monophyletic group

A group that includes a common ancestor and all of its descendants.

Paraphyletic group

A group that includes a common ancestor but not all of its descendants.

Polyphyletic group

A group derived from multiple ancestors, not sharing the most recent common ancestor.

Homology

Phenotypic or genetic similarity due to shared ancestry.

Analogy

Similarity due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.

Horizontal gene transfer

The transfer of genes between organisms in different domains, complicating evolutionary relationships.

Derived characters

Evolutionary novelties unique to a group (clade).

Ancestral characters

Characters that originated in an ancestor of the taxon.

Eukarya

One of the three domains of life that includes all eukaryotic organisms.

Extant

Currently living; opposite of extinct.