Question

question 3 of 10
what causes a branch in a cladogram?
a. an offspring
b. a derived trait
c. an ancestral trait
d. an outgroup

Explanation:

A cladogram is a diagram used in cladistics to show relationships among organisms. Branches in a cladogram are caused by the presence of derived traits. Derived traits are new characteristics that arise in a lineage during evolution. Ancestral traits are present in the common ancestor of a group and do not cause branching. An offspring is a single individual and not what causes a branch. An outgroup is a group used for comparison in cladistic analysis and is not the cause of a branch. So, the presence of a derived trait leads to a branch in a cladogram.

Answer:

B. A derived trait