Outline how variations in specific molecules can lead to phylogeny.

Outline the value of classifying organisms.

a. phylogeny is the evolutionary line of descent;

b. the study of similar molecules in two different species; (e.g. mitochondrial DNA / hemoglobin / Cytochrome c)

c. the greater the differences, the longer the time span since the two species had a common ancestor;

d. variation can be due to mutations;

e. mutations are chance events so caution must be taken when interpreting these;

a. organization of data helps to identify organisms;

b. suggests evolutionary links;

c. suggests the closeness of a relationship the more similar the characteristics are;

d. allows prediction of characteristics shared by members of a group;

Candidates had trouble with the question regarding how variations in molecules can lead to phylogeny, confusing the study of evolutionary relationships with the actual development of the relationships themselves.