AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The method that groups organisms that share derived characters is called cladistics or phylogenetic systematics. Taxa that share many derived characters are grouped more closely together than those that do not. The relationships are shown in a branching hierarchical tree called a cladogram.

Detailed explanation-2: -The evolutionary relationships between groups of organisms are investigated using cladistic analysis. More specifically, cladistics groups organisms together based on the presence of shared, unique traits, which may be genetic, molecular, or anatomical in nature.

Detailed explanation-3: -In contrast to Linnaean classification, cladistic analysis focuses on certain kinds of characters, called derived characters, when assigning organisms into clades. A derived character is a trait that arose in the most recent common ancestor of a particular lineage and was passed along to its descendants.

Detailed explanation-4: -A derived character is a trait that arose in the most recent common ancestor of a particular lineage and was passed along to its descendants. This cladogram shows a simplified phylogeny of the cat family.

Detailed explanation-5: -This categorises organisms into groups based on their most recent common ancestor. Syllabus statement: recall that common assumptions of cladistics include a common ancestry, bifurcation and physical change. Any group of organisms are related by descent from a common ancestor.