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:

Fixed Cost

Expenses that do not vary with the level of output or sales, such as rent, salaries, or insurance premiums.

Variable Cost

Expenses that vary in proportion to the volume of goods or services produced in a business.

Opportunity Cost

The forfeiture of potential benefits from other options by selecting a specific one.

Fixed Costs

Business expenses that remain constant regardless of the level of production or sales activities, such as rent, salaries, and insurance.