What Is the Fundamental Idea Behind Parsimony

question 33

Multiple Choice

What is the fundamental idea behind parsimony?

• A) the best phylogeny is the one that both explains the observed character data and posits the fewest evolutionary changes for a group of taxa
• B) the best phylogeny is the one that posits the greatest number of evolutionary changes for a group of taxa
• C) the computed number of morphological or molecular distances between taxa indicates their relatedness
• D) morphological traits cannot be used to reconstruct phylogenetic history

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Definitions:

Market System

A market mechanism where the allocation of resources for investment, production, and distribution is driven by the forces of supply and demand, with the pricing of goods and services set freely within the market.

Minimize Cost

The process of finding the most efficient level of production, where the combination of inputs results in the lowest possible cost.

Unit of Output

The basic measure of productivity or product which is generated by a production process, operation, or project.

Competitive Market Economy

A system where market forces govern the production, distribution, and pricing of goods and services, featuring many buyers and sellers and free entry and exit from the market.