Chapter 17.2, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of the terms phylogeny, character, molecular clock, cladistics, and cladogram.

Explanation of Solution

Phylogeny is the study of evolutionary relationships among different types of organisms and evolutionary advancements. It is based on the theory that all organism shares a single common ancestor that emerged into different groups.

Characters are the observable feature of an organism which are either acquired or inherited.

Molecular clock is a rate of molecular evolution among species by which the timescale of the emergence of the species or character can be determined.

Cladistics is a method of identification of an organism on the basis of characters that are originated from an ancestor (ancestral characters) ignoring the derived characters. Cladogram is a diagram which shows the cladistics relation between organism.