Phylogeny
Biology: AQA A Level, topic 4.5.2
Phylogeny
Phylogenies are used to understand the evolutionary relationships between organisms. Phylogenies can help classify organisms.
Shared ancestry
- The evolutionary relationship of an organism or group of organisms is called its phylogeny.
- Phylogenies are based on the fact that all organisms share a common ancestor.
- More closely related organisms will share a more recent common ancestor than more distantly related organisms.
Phylogenetic tree
- A phylogenetic tree shows the evolutionary relationship between different species and their most recent common ancestor.
- Each branch on a phylogenetic tree shows a different species.
- The point that two branches join together is the common ancestor of the two species.
Test yourself on Phylogeny
In a phylogenetic tree, what does the point where two branches join represent?
Which of the following statements about phylogeny are true?