[Campbell Biology P.605] Based on the information provided in the "Alternative Forms of Tree... | Practice Question

Based on the information provided in the "Alternative Forms of Tree Diagrams" and "Rotating Around Branch Points" sections, which statement about phylogenetic trees is INCORRECT?

  • A: Rotating the branches of a tree around a branch point changes the evolutionary relationships conveyed.
  • B: The length of a horizontal branch is arbitrary unless specified to represent information like time or genetic change.
  • C: The order in which taxa appear at the branch tips is not significant for evolutionary relationships.
  • D: A phylogenetic tree visually represents a hypothesis of how a group of organisms are related.

Explanation

The text clearly states in the "Rotating Around Branch Points" section that 'Rotating the branches of a tree around a branch point does not change what they convey about evolutionary relationships.' Therefore, the statement that it changes the relationships is incorrect.