Concept explainers
Overall similarity of
a. due to convergent evolution.
b. because of variation in rates of evolutionary change of different kinds of characters.
c. due to homoplasy.
d. All of the choices are correct.
Introduction:
The phylogeny explains the evolutionary history of a species. Systematics can be used to construct a phylogeny which is an evolutionary tree which depicts the relationship among different species by studying the similarities or differences among different species.
Answer to Problem 1U
Correct answer:
The basis of the phylogenetic tree is the evolutionary relationship represented between different lineages to determine the relationship among species. Thus, it is necessary to study the reasons relating to these similarities. The similarities usually arise due common ancestors. But there are other reasons also due to which the phenotypic similarities could arise even without any evolutionary relationship. The similarity could arise due to homoplasy, convergent evolution and due to the different rate of changes in various kinds of characters. Therefore option d. is correct.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct statement:
Overall similarity in phenotypes of two different species could arise due to various reasons even when they do not share any evolutionary relationship. It may be due to changes in rate of evolutionary divergences occurring in different kind of characters as the evolutionary change in two different characters could be at the same time and could lead to similarities.
Also convergent evolution where species of different lineages show common functions even though they have different structures due to different ancestral lineages. Similarities may also arise due to derived set of characters, even by the species belonging to different ancestor lineages.
Option d. is given as “All of the choices are correct”.
As, “overall similarity of phenotypes may not always reflect evolutionary relationships due to convergent evolution, because of variation in rates of evolutionary change of different kinds of characters and due to homoplasy”, is the right answer.
Hence, option d. is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect statements:
Option a. is given as “due to convergent evolution”.
Similarities in phenotypes could arise due to the convergent evolution where different animals show common functions even though they have different structures due to different ancestral lineages. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option b. is given as “because of variation in rates of evolutionary change of different kinds of characters”.
Similarities in phenotypes of different species could arise due to the different rate of evolutionary changes in different type of characters as different species will independently evolve the same derived character. But “due to convergent evolution and due to homoplasy” are also correct. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option c. is given as “due to homoplasy”.
Homoplasy represents the set of characters that are shared by the species of different ancestor lineages. There is no evolutionary relationship between these species due to different ancestor lineage, but similarity in functions and structures leads to the overall similarity in the phenotypes. Other options “due to convergent evolution and because of variation in rates of evolutionary change of different kinds of characters” are also correct. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence options a., b., and c. are incorrect.
The similarities in different lineages could arise due to homoplasy or due to the convergent evolution. Also, due to different rate of evolutionary divergences occurring in different kind of characters as the evolutionary change in two different characters could be at the same time and could lead to similarities.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 23 Solutions
Biology with Connect Access Card
- What are Clathrin coated vesicles and what is their function?arrow_forwardHow is a protein destined for the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), imported into the ER? Be concise.arrow_forwardFind out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.arrow_forward
- What are biofertilizers and mention the significancearrow_forwardPCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen. How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans? Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.arrow_forwardOther than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?arrow_forward
- Selection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forwardCompetition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forwardSpecies Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forward
- magine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forwardWhat is the difference between Uniporters, Symporters and Antiporters? Which of these are examples of active transport?arrow_forwardWhat are coupled transporters?arrow_forward
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BiologyISBN:9780134580999Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. HoehnPublisher:PEARSONBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxAnatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781259398629Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa StouterPublisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)BiologyISBN:9780815344322Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter WalterPublisher:W. W. Norton & CompanyLaboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781260159363Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, CynthiaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)BiologyISBN:9781260231700Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael WindelspechtPublisher:McGraw Hill Education