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A clade can include several lineages. When we say 'clade', we don't infer anything about history or time. On the other hand, lineage refers to the actual history of a group through time. What is the difference between a clade and a lineage?

1) A clade refers to the evolutionary relationship between organisms, while a lineage refers to the history of a group through time.
2) A clade refers to the history of a group through time, while a lineage refers to the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
3) A clade and a lineage are the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
4) A clade and a lineage are both terms used to describe the evolutionary history of a group.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A clade is a group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all descendants, focusing on evolutionary relationships. A lineage is the historical sequ ence through time of a group's evolution. Thus, clades are concerned with relationships, lineages with history.

Step-by-step explanation:

Difference Between a Clade and a Lineage

The main difference between a clade and a lineage is their implication in evolutionary biology. A clade refers to a group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all of its descendants and is based on understanding the evolutionary relationships between organisms. This is a concept from cladistics, which organizes traits of species to determine ancestor-descendant relationships. A lineage, on the other hand, refers to the actual historical sequence of species or populations through time, showing how a particular group of organisms has evolved.

Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question would be: 1) A clade refers to the evolutionary relationship between organisms, while a lineage refers to the history of a group through time.

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