- A Classification of organisms is sometimes understood to be based mainly on external visual appearance, excluding the molecular sequence comparison methods that define modern phylogenetic analysis in many documented cases
- B Phylogenetics reconstructs evolutionary relationships between organisms; molecular phylogenetics uses DNA/protein sequences and algorithms to infer trees, revealing surprises like fungi being closer to animals than plants
- C Phylogenetics is sometimes thought to rely mainly on fossil evidence, with little role for DNA or protein data, despite maximum likelihood methods now forming the backbone of phylogenetic work according to conventional understanding
- D Molecular phylogenetics is sometimes thought to largely contradict traditional taxonomy, when in fact molecular data has mostly refined and supported it, revealing some unexpected relationships in routine practice overall
Correct answer: B. Phylogenetics reconstructs evolutionary relationships between organisms; molecular phylogenetics uses DNA/protein sequences and algorithms to infer trees, revealing surprises like fungi being closer to animals than plants
Explanation: Modern phylogenetics: DNA/protein sequences aligned, substitution models applied, tree topology with branch lengths estimated. Molecular clock: neutral substitutions accumulate at constant rate, allowing dating of divergences. Major discoveries: (1) Fungi closer to Animalia than Plantae; (2) Archaea (Lokiarchaeota) is sister group to eukaryotes; (3) Whales descended from artiodactyls (hippos are closest living relatives); (4) Birds are dinosaurs; (5) Life domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya (Woese, 16S rRNA).
Concept context
Origin of life, Darwin's theory, natural selection, speciation, and evidence for evolution.