The Next Few Questions Refer to the Following Evolutionary Tree

question 43

Multiple Choice

The next few questions refer to the following evolutionary tree, whose horizontal axis represents time (present time is on the far right) and whose vertical axis represents morphological change.

-Which conclusion can be drawn from this evolutionary tree?

• A) Gradualistic speciation and speciation involving punctuated equilibrium are mutually exclusive concepts; only one of them can occur.
• B) Eldredge and Gould would deny that the lineages labeled X, Y, and Z could represent true species.
• C) Assuming that the tip of each line represents a species, there are five extant (i.e., not extinct) species resulting from the earliest common ancestor.
• D) A single clade (i.e., a group of species that share a common ancestor) can exhibit both gradualism and punctuated equilibrium.
• E) V and W shared a common ancestor more recently than any of the other species.

Identify environmental impacts on physical and behavioral traits across generations.

Acknowledge the role of genetic factors in personality development, as demonstrated through twin studies.

Understand how genetic traits can be influenced by environmental conditions.

Grasp the evolutionary basis of human behaviors and physiological traits.

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Definitions:

Androgen-Binding Protein

A protein that binds to androgens (male sex hormones), facilitating their transport and function within the body.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells, each genetically distinct from the parent cell, as seen in the production of gametes and plant spores.

Gametes

Sex cells (sperm and eggs) that carry genetic information for reproduction.

Chromosome Number

The total number of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell, which varies among different organisms and is characteristic of each species.