Cladograms Flashcard

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

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 the purpose of a cladogram?

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

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What does a common ancestor represent in a cladogram?

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A common ancestor is a species from which two or more species have evolved.

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How do you determine the evolutionary relationship between organisms using a cladogram?

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By analyzing the branching points (nodes) and the traits shared by the organisms.

Front

What is a node in a cladogram?

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A point where a branch splits, representing a common ancestor of the descendant species.

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What does it mean if two organisms share a recent common ancestor?

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It indicates that they are more closely related to each other than to organisms that do not share that ancestor.

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What type of information can be inferred from a cladogram?

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Information about the evolutionary history and relationships of organisms.

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What is the significance of shared traits in cladistics?

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Shared traits help to determine the relationships and classification of organisms.

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What is the difference between a cladogram and a phylogenetic tree?

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A cladogram focuses on the branching order of species, while a phylogenetic tree includes information about the time of divergence.

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What does the position of an organism in a cladogram indicate?

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It indicates its evolutionary relationship to other organisms in the diagram.