Cladograms & Phylogenetic Trees

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms, illustrating how they are related through common ancestors.

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What is a phylogenetic tree?

Back

A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that represents the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, showing how species diverged from common ancestors over time.

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What is a dichotomous key?

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A dichotomous key is a tool that allows the identification of organisms by answering a series of questions that lead the user to the correct name of a given item.

Front

What characteristic do all organisms to the right of the hagfish share according to the cladogram?

Back

Jaws.

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Which organisms are most closely related to primates according to the cladogram?

Back

Rodents and rabbits.

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What is an adaptation?

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An adaptation is an inherited characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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What trait should go where A is on the cladogram?

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Eyes.

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What is a vestigial structure?

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A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through the course of evolution, such as the human appendix.

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What is an analogous structure?

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An analogous structure is a body part that performs a similar function in different species but does not share a common evolutionary origin.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.