Lecture 1: Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to phylogeny, classification, and evolutionary concepts as outlined in the lecture notes.

Phylogenetic tree

A diagram that depicts the evolutionary relationships between different biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Descent with modification

The principle that all organisms are related through descent from a common ancestor, which accumulates differences over generations.

Binomial nomenclature

A system of naming organisms using a two-part name, which includes the genus and species.

Cladistics

An approach to biological classification in which organisms are grouped together based on shared characteristics derived from their evolutionary history.

Homologous characters

Traits inherited from a common ancestor, which can be used to construct phylogenies.

Analogous characters

Traits that arise from convergent evolution, and do not indicate a common ancestry.

Monophyletic group

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

Molecular clock

A method used to estimate the time of evolutionary changes based on the rate of molecular changes.

Linnean classification

A hierarchical system for organizing and categorizing living organisms, including ranks such as species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, and domain.