In a cladogram, a branch point represents a(n) _______ and a branch that ends without leading to a living species represents _______?
a. common ancestor; extinction
b. mutation; punctuated equilibrium
c. extinct species; common ancestor
d. common ancestor; speciation
I think it's a, if not, d. please help asap! thanks. btw i might post more later
1.b
2.c
3.a
4.d
5.c
6.d
7.c
8.c
9.a
I believe the answer is D
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the given options:
a. common ancestor; extinction
b. mutation; punctuated equilibrium
c. extinct species; common ancestor
d. common ancestor; speciation
When interpreting cladograms, it's important to understand the meaning of some key terms.
A cladogram represents an evolutionary tree or a diagram that shows the relationships between different species or groups of organisms. It is based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic traits.
Now, let's discuss the branch points and branches in a cladogram:
- Branch point: A branch point, also known as a node, represents a common ancestor from which one or more descendant species diverged.
- Branch ending without leading to a living species: This represents extinction, as the branch terminates without any living species.
With this information in mind, let's analyze the options:
a. common ancestor; extinction: This option correctly describes that a branch point represents a common ancestor, but it does not accurately represent the branch that ends without leading to a living species. So, this incorrect.
b. mutation; punctuated equilibrium: This option does not correctly describe the meaning of a branch point or the branch that ends without leading to a living species. So, this is incorrect.
c. extinct species; common ancestor: This option incorrectly assigns the meanings of the branch point and the branch that ends without leading to a living species. So, this is incorrect.
d. common ancestor; speciation: This option is accurate. In a cladogram, a branch point represents a common ancestor from which descendant species have evolved (speciation). Additionally, a branch that ends without leading to a living species represents extinction. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Therefore, the correct answer is d. common ancestor; speciation.
1.b
2.c
3.a
4.d
5.c
6.d
7.d
8.c
9.c
10.a
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