Diversity of Organisms · Paper 1 — Free Biology SL Practice Questions

A cladogram shows the following topology: species A is the outgroup; B is the first ingroup lineage to diverge; a subsequent node gives rise to E one branch and, on the other branch, node X from which C and D diverge as sister taxa. Which statement about synapomorphies is correct?

A cladogram shows four plant groups — moss (Bryophyta), fern (Pteridophyta), pine (Pinophyta), and rose (Magnoliophyta) — with the following branching pattern: moss diverges first, then ferns diverge from a clade containing pines and roses. Which conclusion is most consistent with this cladogram and the principles of cladistic classification?