The Tree of Life

The phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species. In a phylogenetic tree, each node with descendants represents the most recent common ancestor of the descendants. Each node is called a taxonomic unit.

Key Concept: All cells come from preexisting cells.

Most broadly, scientists classify life into three domains. Humans, along with all animals and many other types of life, belong to the domain Eucarya (sometimes spelled Eukarya). The domain Eucarya contains eukaryotes that can be further classified into four kingdoms: Plantae, Fungi, Animalia, and Protista.

Figure 3.10: Scientists classify life according to the phylogenetic tree of life. Life is generally classified into three domains. Humans, other animals, fungi, plants and many other types of life belong to the domain Eucarya. For more information on the Phylogenetic Tree, visit Wikipedia, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_tree

Figure 3.10: Scientists classify life according to the phylogenetic tree of life. Life is generally classified into three domains. Humans, other animals, fungi, plants and many other types of life belong to the domain Eucarya.
For more information on the Phylogenetic Tree, visit Wikipedia, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_tree

(Don’t try to memorize all of the sub-classifications under the domains! For this module, they are unnecessary. We just want to be aware of the diversity of life, and have a general understanding of how scientists classify life based on observed distinctions.)

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The MSP project is funded by an ESEA, Title II Part B Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. MSP was developed by the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program and faculty from Montana Tech of The University of Montana and Montana State University, with support from other Montana University System Faculty.