In a cladogram, what word describes an ancestral species and all of its descendants?Multiple choice question.OutgroupTaxonSynapomorphyClade

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the definitions of each option.
2. Determine which term describes an ancestral species along with all of its descendants.

Relevant Concepts

1. Outgroup: A species or group that is closely related to the group being studied but is not part of it.
2. Taxon: A group of one or more populations of organisms which a taxonomist judges to be a unit.
3. Synapomorphy: A trait that is shared by two or more taxa and their most recent common ancestor.
4. Clade: A group that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Analysis and Detail

• Outgroup is not the correct answer as it includes species outside the studied group rather than within.
• Taxon is a general term and does not specifically indicate lineage.
• Synapomorphy refers to shared traits but does not define a group.
• Clade is precisely defined as an ancestral lineage and all its descendants.

Verify and Summarize

Upon reviewing the definitions and context, the correct term that describes an ancestral species and all of its descendants is “Clade.”

Final Answer

The correct answer is: Clade.