Name: ___________________________________Grade & Section: ______________ Score: __________

School: _____________________________ Teacher_____________________Subject: General Biology 2

LAS Writer: FRETZELAINE M. DASAS
Content Editor: RETCHIE JOY B. PISANA, CHRISTINE JOY G. SUA, EDA A. FALE
Lesson Topic: Inferring Relatedness of Taxa Quarter 3 Week 6 LAS 2
Learning Target/s: To discuss how anatomical, developmental and relatedness in DNA sequencing are
used as evidence to infer the relatedness of taxa MELC( STEM_BIO11/12hj14)
Reference: Teaching Guide for Senior High School Quezon City, Philippines Commission on Higher Education,
pg. 109-116
Inferring Relatedness of Taxa

Scientist use a tool called phylogenetic tree to show the evolutionary pathways and connections among
organisms. A phylogenetic tree is a diagram used to reflect evolutionary relationship among organisms or group
of organisms. To build phylogenetic trees, scientists must collect accurate information that allows them to make
evolutionary connections among organisms. Using morphological and molecular data, scientists identify both
homologous and analogous characteristics and genes. Similarities among organism’s stem either from shared
ancestral history (homologies) or from separate evolutionary paths (analogies). Cladograms are constructed by
using shared derived traits to distinguish different groups of species from one another. For example, (FIGURE
1) lizards, rabbits and humans all descended from a common
ancestor that had an amniotic egg; thus, lizards, rabbits, and humans
all belong to the same clade. Vertebrata is a larger clade that also
includes fish, lamprey, and lancelets. The closer two species or groups are
located to each on a phylogenetic tree or cladogram, they recently shared a
common ancestor. With the influx of new information, scientists can revise
phylogenetic trees; for example, computer programs, such as one called BLAST,
which helps determine relatedness using DNA sequencing. Typically, a phylogenetic
tree is constructed with the simplest explanation of evolutionary history
(maximum parsimony) and the fewest number of evolutionary steps. Figure 1 EXAMPLE OF
CLADOGRAM
Example: Use the following cladogram (Figure 2) to answer the questions below.

1. What trait separates amphibians from primates on this cladogram? Amniotic egg
2. What separates rabbits and primates from crocodiles on this cladogram? Eggs with shells
3. Which organism is most related to the bird on this cladogram? Crocodile
4. What five (5) traits do these two organisms shared? Eggs with Shell, Amniotic egg, four limbs, Bony skeleton,
Vertebrae
5. Which organism will have DNA that most similar to the bird? Crocodile
6. Which organisms’ DNA will differ the most from the bird? Shark

Figure 2 CLADOGRAM OF SPECIES VETEBRATES

See next page for the activity

 ATTACHMENT ACTIVITY FOR WEEK 6 LAS 2

ACTIVITY
Use the Cladogram Figure 3 to answer the questions below.
1. What trait separates lampreys from tuna on this cladogram?
2. What separates a salamander from a turtle?
3. Which organism is most related to the leopard?
4. Which organism’s DNA will differ the most from the leopard? WHY?
5. Which organism will have DNA that most similar to leopard? WHY

Figure 3 CLADOGRAM OF ANIMALS IN SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA