Human hair is an example of a ___ .

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question: 'Human hair is an example of a ___.'

Option a: plesiamorphy. A plesiamorphy (usually spelled plesiamorphy or plesiomorphy) refers to an ancestral or primitive trait present in an ancestor and not unique to a particular group. Hair in humans is not an ancestral trait shared by all distant relatives; it is a mammalian feature, so this option is incorrect.

Option b: synapomorphy. A synapomorphy is a shared derived character that defines a clade; it is a trait that evolved in the common ancestor of a group and is present in all its descendants. Hair is a characteristic of mammals and helps unite mammals as a clade, making it a derived and shared feature within that group. This explanation aligns with the concept of a synapomorphy.

Option c: clade. A clade is a group of organisms consisting of an ancestor and all its descendants, defined by synapomorphies. Hair itself is a trait, not a grouping, so this option confuses a trait with the defined lineage.

Option d: derived trait. A derived trait refers to any trait that evolved from an ancestral state. While hair is indeed derived relative to non-mammalian ancestors, the question specifically points to a character that defines a clade, which is captured more precisely by synapomorphy. Thus this option is less precise.

Option e: phylogeny. Phylogeny is the evolutionary history and relationships among species or groups, not a trait. Therefore this option is incorrect.

Option f: taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms, not a trait. This option does not describe a character state.

In summary, option b is correct because hair is a derived, shared feature that characterizes the mammal clade, satisfying the definition of a synapomorphy. The other options fail either by mislabeling the type of trait, confusing trait with group concepts, or referring to concepts (phylogeny, taxonomy) that are not trait states.

BIO 181 (001&002) FALL 2025 REQUIRED: Check your Learning: Preparing for Exam 3: Phylogeny & Biodiversity Review Quiz (10 questions in 10 minutes!) (Sorry, no extended due date.)

Human hair is an example of a ___ .

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