The Branching "Tree of Life" Analogy

question 2

Multiple Choice

The branching "tree of life" analogy

• A)accurately reflects evolution. Once a split occurs, species on different branches evolve absolutely independently.
• B)has been discredited because it does not help us understand evolutionary relationships among organisms.
• C)does not describe ecological interactions between species, so it should be replaced by the web of life.
• D)fails to account for horizontal gene transfer, in which species on different branches exchange genes.

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Definitions:

Intuitive Thought

The process of knowing or understanding something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.

Concrete Operational

A stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (roughly ages 7 to 11) during which children gain the ability to think logically about concrete events.

Analytic

Pertaining to or resulting from the process of breaking down complex information or problems into simpler parts for better understanding or resolution.

Abstract

Pertaining to ideas, concepts, or qualities not associated with specific objects or events and not having physical existence.