Cladograms and Phylogenetics

All the animals to the right of the hagfish would have the common characteristic of -

• Fur

• Claws or nails

• Lungs

• Jaws

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram below represents possible genetic relationships between groups of organisms.

Which statement is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from the diagram?

• Insects are more complex than mammals.

• Earthworms and sea stars have a common ancestor.

• Snails appeared on Earth before corals.

• Sponges were the last new species to appear on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the purpose of a cladogram?

• To map the ancestral relationships and shared traits of different organisms.

• To trace the inherited traits of a single species over time.

• To check the likelihood of an offspring having a particular trait.

• To monitor mutations that arise among different populations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to the diagram, what is the common ancestor of ALL organisms on the phylogenetic tree?

• B

• C

• D

• E

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Using the diagram, is organism 4 MORE closely related to organism 3 or 5?

• 3

• 5

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to the diagram, what was the last common ancestor of organisms 2 and 3?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the common ancestor of Letters A, B, C, D, E?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Using the cladogram, which two organisms are more closely related Lizards and Newts OR Lamreys and Sharks

• Newts and Lizards

• Lampreys and Sharks

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What do both the squirrel and lion have in common that the other animals do not?

• They are both vertebrates

• They both have lungs

• They are both mammals

• They both lose their canine teeth.

Which organism goes in the B position?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2