Question

Which of the following statements describes a purpose for which biologists use phylogenetic trees?

a. For human diseases once found only in other animals, phylogenetic trees are helpful in determining when and where the infectious organisms first entered human populations.
b. Phylogenetic trees are useful for determining how many times a particular trait may have evolved independently within a lineages
c. Phygenetic trees can be used to reconstruct ancestral traits
d. All of the above

Answer 1

Phylogenetic trees are used by biologists to determine the origins of diseases, to find the occurrences of independent trait evolution, and to reconstruct ancestral traits. They are considered as hypotheses of evolutionary history and are essential in fields ranging from medicine to botany.

Step-by-step explanation:

Biologists use phylogenetic trees for multiple purposes. One key application is to trace the origins and spread of human diseases that were initially found in other animals, providing insights into when and where the pathogens first transferred to humans. Another use is to determine the number of times a certain trait has evolved independently within different lineages. Additionally, phylogenetic trees help in the reconstruction of ancestral traits. Overall, phylogenetic trees serve as hypotheses of evolutionary history that can be continuously tested and refined with new data.

For example, if a particular plant compound is effective in treating cancer, biologists might study the phylogeny of that plant to find related plants that could also harbor beneficial compounds. Similarly, in the case of viral diseases such as HIV/AIDS, understanding the evolutionary connections can guide the development of effective treatments.