The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in the figure below.
The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z) represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.

In Darwin's tree of life, each fork in the tree represents ________.
A) groups of living organisms
B) groups of extinct organisms
C) the most recent common ancestor of the subsequent branches
D) morphologic gaps in the fossil record

Question

The following questions refer to the evolutionary tree in the figure below.
The horizontal axis of the cladogram depicted below is a timeline that extends from 100,000 years ago to the present; the vertical axis represents nothing in particular. The labeled branch points on the tree (V-Z) represent various common ancestors. Let's say that only since 50,000 years ago has there been enough variation between the lineages depicted here to separate them into distinct species, and only the tips of the lineages on this tree represent distinct species.

In Darwin's tree of life, each fork in the tree represents ________.
A) groups of living organisms 
B) groups of extinct organisms 
C) the most recent common ancestor of the subsequent branches 
D) morphologic gaps in the fossil record

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Each fork in the tree represents the most recent common ancestor of the subsequent branches. This is the basis of the concept of common descent, which forms the foundation of Darwin's theory of evolution. The branches themselves represent the lineages of descendants that have diverged and evolved over time.

The Following Questions Refer to the Evolutionary Tree in the Figure