Cladograms

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What is a cladogram?

Back

A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

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What does it mean if two species share a common ancestor?

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It means that both species have evolved from a shared lineage or species in the past.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts in different species that have a similar structure but may serve different functions, indicating a common ancestry.

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What are analogous structures?

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Analogous structures are body parts in different species that have similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

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What is the significance of a node in a cladogram?

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A node represents a common ancestor from which two or more descendant species diverged.

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How can you determine the closest relative of an organism on a cladogram?

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The closest relative is found on the branch that is nearest to the organism in question, indicating a more recent common ancestor.

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What is a trait in the context of cladograms?

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A trait is a characteristic or feature of an organism that can be used to determine evolutionary relationships.

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What does it mean for a trait to be derived?

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A derived trait is a characteristic that evolved in a particular lineage and is not present in the common ancestor.

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What is a shared derived character?

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A shared derived character is a trait that is shared by a group of organisms and is used to define a clade.

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What is a clade?

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A clade is a group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.