Cladogram & Phylogeny Tree Practice 2024

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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 is a phylogenetic tree?

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A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that represents the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, illustrating how they are related through common ancestors.

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What are derived characteristics?

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Derived characteristics are traits that are present in an organism but were absent in the last common ancestor of the group being considered.

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What does it mean for two species to share a common ancestor?

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When two species share a common ancestor, it means they have evolved from a species that existed in the past, indicating a genetic relationship.

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How can you determine which organisms are more closely related on a cladogram?

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Organisms that share a more recent common ancestor on a cladogram are considered more closely related than those that share a more distant common ancestor.

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What is the significance of the branching points (nodes) in a phylogenetic tree?

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The branching points, or nodes, in a phylogenetic tree represent common ancestors from which descendant species diverged.

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What is the difference between Saurischian and Ornithischian dinosaurs?

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Saurischian dinosaurs are characterized by their lizard-like hips and include theropods and sauropodomorphs, while Ornithischian dinosaurs have bird-like hips and include various herbivorous species.

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What does it mean if two species are equally related to a third species in a cladogram?

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If two species are equally related to a third species, it means they share the same level of genetic distance from that species, indicating they diverged from a common ancestor at the same time.

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What is the role of a common ancestor in evolutionary biology?

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A common ancestor is a species from which two or more different species have evolved, serving as a point of reference for understanding evolutionary relationships.

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How can you identify the most recent common ancestor of two groups in a cladogram?

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The most recent common ancestor of two groups can be identified at the node where the two branches diverge in the cladogram.