In the past, the evolutionary history of whales was represented by cladogram A, shown below. As you can see, whales were believed to be closely related to mesonychids, an extinct group of mammals that looked similar to wolves. Today, that cladogram has been revised, as shown in cladogram B. Which of the following statements best describes the reason for this change? A - Cladograms A and B are hypotheses that changed as new evidence became available. B - Cladogram B was revised to show a water-to-land pattern of evolution in groups of organisms. C - Cladogram B was altered to better include similarities in habitat as new information became available. D - Cladograms are organized today to show a much more simplified pattern like the one shown in cladogram B.
Evolution
The history and science of origin and evolution comprise two events, the beginning of life and expansion of life. Our earth originated about 4.5 billion years ago. The term evolution is derived from two Latin words and means the act of unfolding or unrolling. English philosopher Herbert Spencer first used it. Evolution is defined as the change in heritable traits of biological populations over successive generations. These traits are the manifestations of genes that are passed down from parent to offspring during reproduction.
Cladistics
Cladistics is a technique in the classification of organisms, where they are grouped into different clades. The proof for the relationships that are hypothesized is based on the shared derived characteristics known as synapomorphies. These characteristics do not exist in many of the distant ancestors and groups. The common ancestor along with its descendants is considered to be a part of the clade. The rate of closeness is directly proportional to the cladistic grouping and is useful in analyzing the evolutionary mechanism.
Outgroups
Outgroups are significant in studying cladistics or phylogenetics (that describe the evolutionary relationship between different organisms). Further, it is also important to understand the differences and similarities between different organisms.
Taxonomy
It is the branch of biology that works with the identification of organisms at first, then naming, and classification of them into phenetic or phylogenetic groups (a classification system). In other words, it is the scientific study of biological diversity and a part of systematic biology.
Phylogenetics
Phylogenetics is the scientific study of how various groups of organisms are related at the evolutionary level. It finds the relationship between various organisms based on their evolutionary similarities and differences. It is a part of the taxonomy. Although the taxonomic study is not only concerned about phylogeny but taxonomic studies are also concerned about the classification and nomenclature of the different individuals from different taxon.
In the past, the evolutionary history of whales was represented by cladogram A, shown below. As you can see, whales were believed to be closely related to mesonychids, an extinct group of mammals that looked similar to wolves. Today, that cladogram has been revised, as shown in cladogram B.
Which of the following statements best describes the reason for this change?
A - Cladograms A and B are hypotheses that changed as new evidence became available.
B - Cladogram B was revised to show a water-to-land pattern of evolution in groups of organisms.
C - Cladogram B was altered to better include similarities in habitat as new information became available.
D - Cladograms are organized today to show a much more simplified pattern like the one shown in cladogram B.
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