1What is phylogeny?
How scientists classify species based on evolutionary relationships
2What are 3 key features of phylogenetic trees?
1. Shows us evolutionary history of different species
2. Branching points that represent common ancestors
3. Horizontal distances show rate of genetic change (evolutionary time)
3What are two key benefits of phylogenetic classification?
1. continous classification system (doesnt force species into rigid taxonmic groups)
2. No overlaps between categories
4What is Artifical classification?
Form of classifciation that relies heavily on physical traits
5What is a problem with artificial classification?
Just using physcial traits can be misleading
6What are analogus features?
Features which evolved due to animals living in similar environments (not from a common ancestor)
7What 4 evidences does modern classification use?
1. Molecular comparisons
2. Embryology
3. Comparative anatomy
4. Behavioural studies
8What are molecular comparisons?
Where you look at similarities of DNA and protien sequences to find how closely related some species are
9What is Embryology?
Looking at similarities in developmental patterns from an organism developing from a fertilised egg for classification
10What is comparative anatomy?
Comparing physical characteristics of living species to extinct species in fossils and tracing changes over time
11What are behavioural studies?
Looking at how species interact
12What 2 things does courtship behaviour ensure?
-Allows animials to recognise memebers of their own species
-Helps coordianate the timing of mating