Topic 5.4: Cladistics

Question 1

Define clade

Answer 1

A clade is a group of organisms that have evolved from a common ancestor

Question 2

Define cladograms

Answer 2

Cladograms are tree diagrams where each branch point represents the splitting of two new groups from a common ancestor

Question 3

Define convergent evolution

Answer 3

Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in species with distinct lineages

Question 4

Define homologous structures

Answer 4

Traits that are similar because they are derived from common ancestry are termed homologous structures

Question 5

Define analogous structures

Answer 5

Traits that are superficially similar but were derived through separate evolutionary pathways are termed analogous structures