Cladograms

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

A cladogram is 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 does a node represent in a cladogram?

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A node represents a common ancestor from which two or more descendant species diverged.

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What is the significance of the length of branches in a cladogram?

Back

The length of branches can indicate the amount of evolutionary change or the time elapsed since the divergence of species.

Front

What is a common ancestor?

Back

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

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How can you determine which species are more closely related on a cladogram?

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Species that share a more recent common ancestor are considered more closely related.

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What trait is represented at point A in a cladogram?

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The trait represented at point A is typically a characteristic that is shared by the species that branch off from that point.

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What is the purpose of a cladogram in biology?

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The purpose of a cladogram is to illustrate the evolutionary relationships and lineage of species.

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What does it mean if two species share a trait on a cladogram?

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If two species share a trait on a cladogram, it indicates that they inherited that trait from a common ancestor.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous traits?

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

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What is the role of traits in constructing a cladogram?

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Traits are used to determine the relationships between species and to identify common ancestors.