# Explain how cladistics differs from traditional Linnaean classification in the way it groups organisms, and outline one advantage of using cladistics in modern taxonomy.

> IB DP Biology Higher Level (2023 syllabus) — A3.1 Diversity of organisms · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Cladistics groups organisms based on shared derived characteristics (synapomorphies) / shared evolutionary ancestry, whereas Linnaean classification groups organisms based on overall morphological similarity / shared physical features.
2. Cladistics produces monophyletic groups (clades) — each group contains an ancestor and all of its descendants — whereas Linnaean groups can be paraphyletic or polyphyletic.
3. One advantage: cladistics more accurately reflects true evolutionary history / phylogeny of organisms.
4. Cladistics can incorporate molecular / genetic data (e.g. DNA sequence comparisons) to construct or refine groupings, allowing reclassification when morphology is misleading (e.g. convergent evolution).

## Key terms

- [cladistics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cladistics)
- [Linnaean classification](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/linnaean-classification)

## Related

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- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-cladistics-differs-from-traditional-14e612a2) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.