Cladograms

What is the closest relative of humans shown in this diagram?

• horse

• turtle

• monkey

• dog

Answer explanation

The the lines for human and monkey meet at a "V", which indicates their common ancestor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to this diagram, is the pig more closely related to the dog or kangaroo?

Answer explanation

Dogs are closer to pigs on this diagram because they share a more recent common ancestor with pigs. Fun fact: pigs and dogs are mammals. Kangaroos are marsupials; they carry their young in a pouch.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What organism on this diagram would have DNA most similar to the penguin?

Answer explanation

The lines to chicken and penguin meet at a "V", which indicates their common ancestor. Ducks and pigeons are also birds, but they are more distantly related from the penguin.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Are humans related to tuna?

• yes

• no

Answer explanation

All living things are related.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which species are extinct? (Check all that apply.)

• A

• D

• E

• H

• J

Answer explanation

Any species that does not appear in present time (at the top of the diagram) is extinct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which species is a common ancestor for species B and D?

• C

• F

• G

• H

• K

Answer explanation

Trace back in time to find the common ancestor. (Shown in blue on the diagram.)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which two living organisms are most closely related?

• A and B

• B and C

• C and D

• B and D

• A and D

Answer explanation

B and C share the most recent common ancestor, F.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which species are extinct? (Check all that apply)

• Asian elephant

• Mammoth

• Mastadon

• Stellar's sea cow

• Dugong

Answer explanation

Mammonth, mastadon, and Stellar's sea cow do not continue to present time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

On the cladogram, which organism is the closest relative of the parrot?

• Frog

• Hare

• Caiman

• Parrot

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to this cladogram, primates are most closely related to....

• Amphibians

• Rodents & rabbits

• Crocodiles

• Birds

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2