Final answer:
Phylogeny is the term for the evolutionary relationship among organisms, and it is represented using phylogenetic trees. These trees help hypothesize evolutionary relationships and are constructed using data that identifies homologous characteristics and through a method called cladistics, utilizing the concept of maximum parsimony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolutionary relationship among organisms is known as phylogeny. Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history and relationship of an organism or group of organisms, representing their relationships, such as their common ancestors or how closely related they are to other species. Scientists use phylogenetic trees, which are diagrams that reflect these evolutionary relationships and hypothesize the evolutionary past.
When building phylogenetic trees, scientists collect morphologic and molecular data to identify homologous characteristics and genes, indicating shared evolutionary history (homologies). Conversely, similar traits that arose independently in different lineages due to similar environmental pressures are known as homoplasy or analogies. The method used to organize homologous traits and derive phylogenies is called cladistics. Considering the most straightforward evolutionary path with the least number of major divergences is applying the concept of maximum parsimony.