Evolutionary Biologists Have Developed a Number of Different Phylogenetic Methods

question 24

Essay

Evolutionary biologists have developed a number of different phylogenetic methods to find a tree that best corresponds to a number of character states for a given group of taxa. Describe the fundamental idea behind parsimony, and explain the strengths and weaknesses of this method.

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Definitions:

Displacement

In psychology, a defense mechanism where a person redirects emotional feelings, often anger, from their original source to a less threatening target.

Repressed Motives

Desires or drives that have been pushed into the unconscious because they are considered unacceptable or uncomfortable.

Substitute Object

An alternative that replaces or serves in place of an original item or concept.

Reaction Formation

A psychological defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously replaces an unacceptable or threatening impulse with an exaggerated version of its opposite.