A frog should be added to the phylogeny above at point

Question

A.  A.

B.  B.

C.  C. 

D.  D. 

E.  E.



Clarify Question

· What is the key concept addressed by the question?

· What type of thinking is required?

· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?

 

Gather Content

· What do you already know about cladistics?



Consider Possibilities

· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?



Choose Answer

· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?



Reflect on Process

· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

A.  A.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses cladistics.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o A phylogeny is a diagram describing a hypothesis about evolutionary relationships.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about cladistics?
        o Cladistics is the method used to construct a cladogram — a graphically represented hypothesis of evolutionary relationships.
        o Only shared derived characters (synapomorphies) are useful for inferring phylogenies, and they must be contrasted to an outgroup that has the ancestral characters.
        o Each nested clade is defined by a new shared derived character. These new characters are typically labeled on the branch.
 
Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
        o Do frogs belong with the reptiles? No, frogs have many more features in common with the other amphibians, salamanders and newts.
        o Do frogs belong with the mammals? No, frogs have many more features in common with the other amphibians, salamanders and newts.
        o Do frogs belong with the clade of reptiles plus mammals? No, frogs have many more features in common with the other amphibians, salamanders and newts.
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Do frogs belong with the clade of amphibians, with salamanders and newts? Yes, they share many characteristics with these other amphibians.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked where a frog should be added to the tree.
        o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
         o Did you recognize that frogs are amphibians, and they share many features with salamanders and newts?