---
title: "SZ1: Animal Taxa Phylogeny (Georgia Science standard)"
code: SZ1
cite_as: Georgia Standards of Excellence, Science, SZ1
subject: science
grades:
  - high-school
language: en
canonical_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/code/SZ1
md_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/code/SZ1.md
alternate_language_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/es/standards/code/SZ1.md
source_url: https://case.georgiastandards.org/ims/case/v1p1/CFDocuments/27a08dc6-416e-11e7-ba71-02bd89fdd987
source_last_changed: 2025-05-29
data_built: 2026-09-18
publisher: Georgia Homeroom, a free public-interest project of Georgia Civic Data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Georgia Department of Education or any school district.
up: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/science/high-school.md
index: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/index.md
---

# SZ1: Animal Taxa Phylogeny

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to derive the phylogeny of animal taxa using informative characteristics.

- Subject: Science
- Appears in: High School, https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/science/high-school.md

## Expectations

- **SZ1.a**: Construct an explanation of the relationships among animal taxa using evidence from morphology, embryology, and biochemistry.
- **SZ1.b**: Analyze and interpret data to explain patterns in structure and function and construct a classification of representative animal taxa including: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata.
- **SZ1.c**: Develop a model (i.e. cladogram, phylogenetic tree) using data to place taxa in a phylogenetic (evolutionary) context to support hypotheses of relationships.

## Georgia Milestones coverage

No Georgia Milestones blueprint cites this standard.

Source: Georgia Standards of Excellence, published by the Georgia Department of Education at case.georgiastandards.org.