Cladistics Worksheet
A Grade 12 science worksheet covering the principles of cladistics, including cladogram interpretation, synapomorphies, and phylogenetic relationships.
Includes
Standards
Topics
Cladistics: Understanding Evolutionary Relationships
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each question carefully and provide your best answer. Some questions may refer to the cladogram provided.
Observe the cladogram below and answer the following questions.
1. Which organisms are most closely related according to this cladogram?
2. What is the shared derived character (synapomorphy) that distinguishes the group containing organisms X and Y from organism Z?
3. Which of the following best describes a synapomorphy?
A shared ancestral character
A unique character found only in one species
A shared derived character
A character that has evolved multiple times independently
4. In cladistics, a monophyletic group includes:
An ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants
An ancestor and all of its descendants
Two or more ancestors and their descendants
A group of organisms that share no common ancestor
5. A is a diagram that shows evolutionary relationships among organisms.
6. The principle of suggests that the simplest explanation for phylogenetic relationships is usually the best.
7. An outgroup is a species or group of species that is closely related to the ingroup but has diverged before the ingroup.
True
False
8. Homoplasy refers to a shared character state that has not been inherited from a common ancestor.
True
False
9. Briefly explain the difference between homology and analogy in the context of cladistics.
10. Why is it important to distinguish between shared ancestral characters (plesiomorphies) and shared derived characters (synapomorphies) when constructing a cladogram?
Related Worksheets
Grade 12 Biology: Dissection Fundamentals
This worksheet covers essential concepts and practices in biological dissection, including safety, tool identification, and ethical considerations for Grade 12 Biology students.
Evidence of Evolution Worksheet
Explore the various lines of evidence supporting the theory of evolution, including homologous structures, embryology, and fossil records.
Grade 12 Biology: The Integumentary System
This worksheet covers the structure, function, and common conditions of the human integumentary system for Grade 12 Biology students.
Neuromuscular Junction Worksheet
A Grade 12 Science worksheet covering the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction, including neurotransmission and muscle contraction.
Enzyme Activity Worksheet
Grade 12 Science worksheet focusing on enzyme activity, factors affecting it, and enzyme kinetics.
Muscles of the Leg: Structure and Function
A Grade 12 Biology worksheet exploring the anatomy, function, and types of muscles in the human leg.
Convergent Evolution Worksheet
Explore the concept of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.
Grade 12 Biology: Heart Rate
This worksheet explores the physiological mechanisms regulating heart rate, factors influencing it, and methods of measurement for Grade 12 Biology students.