Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary relationships among various biological species or entities. It uses data from genetics, morphology, and other characteristics to construct a "family tree" known as a phylogenetic tree. This tree illustrates how species are related through common ancestors, helping scientists understand the history of life on Earth. By analyzing genetic sequences, researchers can determine how closely related different organisms are. For example, DNA comparisons can reveal connections between humans and chimpanzees, showing that they share a common ancestor. Phylogenetics is essential for fields like taxonomy, conservation biology, and evolutionary biology.