Cladogram Practice

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What is a cladogram?

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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 a common ancestor represent in a cladogram?

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A common ancestor represents a species from which two or more species have evolved. It is depicted as a branching point in a cladogram.

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

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The closest relative of a species on a cladogram is the species that shares the most recent common ancestor with it, indicated by the shortest branch length.

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What is the significance of branch points in a cladogram?

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Branch points in a cladogram indicate where a single lineage split into two or more lineages, representing evolutionary divergence.

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What type of information can be inferred from a cladogram?

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A cladogram can provide information about the evolutionary relationships, common ancestors, and the relative timing of evolutionary events among species.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous traits?

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Homologous traits are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous traits are similar due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.

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What role do traits play in constructing a cladogram?

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Traits are used to determine the relationships between species; shared traits indicate common ancestry, while differences can indicate evolutionary divergence.

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What is the relationship between primates and rodents according to a cladogram?

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According to a cladogram, primates are more closely related to rodents and rabbits than to other groups like amphibians or birds.

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How can you identify a species that is more closely related to another on a cladogram?

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To identify a species that is more closely related, look for the shortest path or fewest branch points connecting the two species.

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

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If two species share a recent common ancestor, it means they have diverged from that ancestor more recently, indicating a closer evolutionary relationship.