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 a node represent 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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What is the significance of the branches in a cladogram?

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Branches represent the evolutionary pathways and the relationships between different species.

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What is a common characteristic of organisms to the right of a node in a cladogram?

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All organisms to the right of a node share the common characteristics that evolved after that node.

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

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The closest relative is found by looking for the nearest branch or node that connects to the species in question.

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What type of organisms are represented at the base of a cladogram?

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The base of a cladogram typically represents the most primitive or ancestral organisms.

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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 order and relationships, while a phylogenetic tree also includes information about the time of divergence.

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

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

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What is a derived trait in the context of cladograms?

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A derived trait is a characteristic that evolved in a particular lineage and is used to distinguish that lineage from others.

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What is the role of outgroups in a cladogram?

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Outgroups are species that are closely related but not part of the group being studied; they help to establish the direction of evolutionary changes.