Final answer:
The false statement is that arthropods are more closely related to nematodes than to annelids, when in fact, arthropods are more closely related to annelids within the Lophotrochozoa subgroup.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on our current understanding of the tree of life, the statement that is FALSE is: d. Arthropods are more closely related to nematodes than they are to annelids. This statement is incorrect because, according to evolutionary biology, arthropods and annelids belong to the clade known as Protostomia, specifically within the group Bilateria, and they share a common ancestor. Nematodes also belong to Protostomia, but within a different group known as Ecdysozoa along with arthropods. However, arthropods are more closely related to annelids because they both fall under the subgroup Lophotrochozoa, unlike nematodes.
The tree of life is a model used to describe the evolutionary relationships among all living organisms on Earth. It is constructed through systematics, the scientific study that organizes and classifies organisms based on their evolutionary relationships. This tree is not a static entity; it changes and grows as new data, gathered from fossils, morphology, and genetic analyses, becomes available.
Microbes dominate life on Earth, and discovering new species or acquiring new genetic information can significantly alter our understanding of the relationships between organisms. This underscores the importance of both microorganisms and systematics in refining the tree of life.