Phylogenetic Tree/Cladograms

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What is a phylogenetic tree?

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A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

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What is a cladogram?

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A type of phylogenetic tree that shows the relationships among species based on shared derived characteristics.

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What does 'derived characteristic' mean?

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A trait that is present in an organism but was absent in the last common ancestor of the group being considered.

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How can you determine which species are most closely related on a phylogenetic tree?

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By looking at the branching points; species that share a more recent common ancestor are more closely related.

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

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A common ancestor is an ancestral species from which two or more species have evolved, indicating a shared evolutionary history.

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What does it mean if two species are in the same clade?

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It means they share a common ancestor and all its descendants.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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

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What is the role of genetic data in constructing phylogenetic trees?

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Genetic data helps to determine evolutionary relationships by comparing DNA sequences among different species.

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What is the importance of the outgroup in a cladogram?

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The outgroup is a species or group that is closely related but not part of the group being studied, used to help determine the evolutionary relationships within the group.

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What does it mean for a species to be 'bipedal'?

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Bipedal refers to the ability to walk on two legs, a characteristic not present in all reptiles.