Phylogenetic Trees

The cladogram shown is a model used by scientists to represent the order in which they hypothesize organisms descended from a common ancestor based on the appearance of derived characteristics. Which of the following traits do the salamander and the lizard share?

• Jaws only

• Jaws and Lungs

• Claws or nails

• Jaws, Lungs, and Claws or nails

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The phylogenetic tree was constructed using derived traits of organisms A, B, C, D, and E. Based on the tree, which two organisms share the most derived traits?

• C and D because they share one common branch.

• C and D because they are closest to the end of the tree next to each other.

• A and B because they share the most branch points.

• A and B because they are the pair closest to the center.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the common ancestor of Letters C and E?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

According to the cladogram, which organism is most distantly related to the human?

• crayfish

• grasshopper

• perch

• frog

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which organism is the most distantly related to all the others?

• Raccoon

• Dog

• Giant Panda

• Sun Bear

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which number represents the common ancestor of all species on the tree?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

According to this phylogenetic tree, which creature is the least related out of all pictured?

• Fish

• Frog

• Salamander

• Human

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Who is the closest relative to the brown bear?

• Giant panda

• Dog

• Lesser panda

• Sun bear

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to the cladogram, which organism is most distantly related to the human?

• crayfish

• grasshopper

• perch

• frog

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which statement best explains why this trait evolved in both types of organisms?

• The two groups of organisms bred with each other

• Each goup inhabited a niche in which selection pressures (natural selection) favored this trait

• Both groups expressed recessive ancestor genes for this trait

• Both groups underwent the same sequence and timing of genetic mutations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4