Skip to main content
Library homepage
 

Text Color

Text Size

 

Margin Size

 

Font Type

Enable Dyslexic Font
Biology LibreTexts

14: Diversity of Life

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

  • 14.1: Introduction
    This bee and Echinacea flower could not look more different, yet they are related, as are all living organisms on Earth. By following pathways of similarities and differences—both visible and genetic—scientists seek to map the history of evolution from single-celled organisms to the tremendous diversity of creatures that have crawled, germinated, floated, swam, flown, and walked on this planet.
  • 14.2: Organizing Life on Earth
    All life on Earth evolved from a common ancestor. Biologists map how organisms are related by constructing phylogenetic trees. In other words, a “tree of life” can be constructed to illustrate when different organisms evolved and to show the relationships among different organisms.
  • 14.3: Determining Evolutionary Relationships
    Scientists collect information that allows them to make evolutionary connections between organisms. Similar to detective work, scientists must use evidence to uncover the facts. In the case of phylogeny, evolutionary investigations focus on two types of evidence: morphologic (form and function) and genetic.
  • 14.E: Diversity of Life (Exercises)

Thumbnail: Red and blue macaws sitting on branch (CC0 License; Zachary Spears, via Unsplash)


14: Diversity of Life is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Katherine Harker (Citrus College).

Support Center

How can we help?