Taxonomy and Phylogeny Overview

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from a lecture on taxonomy and phylogeny.

What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy is the classification of organisms.

Who developed binomial nomenclature?

Binomial nomenclature was developed by Carolus Linnaeus.

What are the two names used in binomial nomenclature?

The two names are the genus and species of an organism.

What key characteristics differentiate lizards from snakes?

Lizards have fused eyelids, a highly mobile jaw, and a short tail posterior to the anus, while snakes do not.

What does the phylum Chordata signify?

The phylum Chordata signifies organisms with certain characteristics that distinguish them as chordates.

What is a 'node' in a phylogenetic tree?

A node represents a branch point that indicates an ancestor shared by multiple groups.

What does it mean if a phylogenetic tree has a polytomy?

A polytomy indicates uncertainty in the evolutionary relationships between three or more groups.

What distinguishes sister taxa in a phylogenetic tree?

Sister taxa share an immediate common ancestor.

What is an out group in a phylogenetic tree?

An out group is a taxon that is closely related to but not part of the group being studied, serving as a reference.

What is a molecular clock?

A molecular clock estimates the time of divergence between species based on the rate of genomic mutations.