Cladograms

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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 mean?

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A common ancestor refers to a species from which two or more different species have evolved.

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What is taxonomy?

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Taxonomy is the science of classification of living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.

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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 evolutionary origin.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts in different species that share a common ancestry, even if their functions differ.

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How can you determine the closest relative in a cladogram?

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The closest relative is determined by the shortest branch length connecting the two species on the cladogram.

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What is the significance of pouches in kangaroos and opossums?

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Pouches in kangaroos and opossums are evidence of a common ancestor, indicating evolutionary adaptations for carrying young.

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

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It means that they are more closely related to each other than to species that diverged earlier in the evolutionary tree.

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What is the role of a cladogram in evolutionary biology?

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Cladograms help scientists visualize and understand the evolutionary relationships and lineage of different species.

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What is the difference between a cladogram and a phylogenetic tree?

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A cladogram focuses on the branching patterns of evolution, while a phylogenetic tree includes information about the time of divergence.