define phylogenetic tree

Answer 1

A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among different species or groups of organisms based on their genetic or morphological characteristics. The tree represents a hypothesis about the pattern of descent and common ancestry of different taxa over time. The branches of the tree represent the diverging paths of evolution, with each branch leading to a different group of organisms that share a common ancestor. The tips of the branches represent extant or extinct species, and the nodes represent the points at which two or more lineages diverged from a common ancestor. Phylogenetic trees are commonly used in evolutionary biology to understand the evolutionary history and relationships between different biological groups.