Final answer:
The statement that cladistics does not attempt to discern ancestor-descendant relationships is false; cladistics is indeed used to understand evolutionary relationships through cladograms and phylogenetic trees, which reflect these relationships based on shared derived characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that cladistic analysis makes no attempt to discern ancestor-descendant relationships is false. Cladistics, specifically the construction and analysis of cladograms, is indeed focused on identifying and understanding the evolutionary relationships between different species. Cladograms are used to delineate these relationships based on shared derived characteristics that are not present in the common ancestor. By determining which traits are ancestral (present in the common ancestor) and which are derived (unique to certain lineages), biologists can create a visual representation of evolutionary history.
Moreover, phylogenetic trees, which can be based on molecular (genetic) or morphological (physical) data), supplement cladograms by showing ancestor-descendant relationships and are an important tool in modern taxonomy. They reflect the complexity and diversity of life, and their branches represent evolutionary paths stemming from common ancestors.
Nevertheless, it's worth noting that while cladograms and phylogenetic trees are valuable for illustrating these relationships, they are not definitive and do not imply a strict lineage of ancestor to descendant but are models that can be tested and refined with new evidence. Additionally, cladograms do not necessarily show time or the chronological sequence of events in evolution. They are more about the branching pattern of lineages and showing how groups of organisms are related through shared characteristics.