Question

Protists aren't monophyletic, meaning that they don't

A. share one common ancestor that isn't also shared by organisms in other groups.
B. have one mode of reproduction.
C. have one chromosome.
D. live their lifespan in one place but instead can move.

Answer 1

A. They don’t share ancestors with other organism in the same grouping. Protists belong in a paraphyletic group

Answer 2

A. share one common ancestor that isn't also shared by organisms in other groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

A monophyletic group includes all the descendants of an ancestral species. On the other hand, a paraphyletic group includes some descendants of a common ancestor. Protists are not monophyletic as they share a common ancestor with other groups. Hence, protists are said to be paraphyletic. Mammals are monophyletic as all the mammals share a common ancestor which is not shared by organisms of any other groups.