Chapter 14, Problem 1.1Q

Summary Introduction

To draw: A phylogenetic tree of humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans and to label the roots and nodes.

Introduction: The complete sequencing of genomes of various organisms has led the biologists to confirm that all of lives are related through a common ancestor. Many model organisms are used to study the gene expression, since organisms share evolutionary relationship. The evolutionary history of these relationship is called as phylogeny.

Answer to Problem 1.1Q

Pictorial representation:

Fig.1: The phylogenetic tree of humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans.

Explanation of Solution

The phylogenetic tree is defined as the diagrammatic representation of evolutionary relationship among organisms. The parts of the phylogenetic tree are root, nodes, branches, taxa, and clade. The biological processes that are represented in phylogenetic tree are the evolution of species, population, and genes. The descendants such as humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans are derived from the common ancestor, which is denoted as the root. The node is defined as the split in branches that indicates the division of one lineage into two as the result of speciation events. Biologists use this relationship to predict the shared traits across the genes, population, and species. Thus, it allows biologists to predict and compare behavior, ecology, genetics, physiology, and morphology of species. It also allows to compare the relation of evolution of traits and environmental conditions.