AP Biology - AP Free-Response Question 5 - Model/Visual Analysis

Sep 29, 2026

AP Biology Free-Response Question 5 requires analyzing a biological concept using a provided cladogram and supporting tables. The task focuses on ruminants with specialized four-chambered stomachs and compares evolutionary relationships inferred from morphological versus molecular DNA evidence. It includes prompts to explain how DNA sequence comparisons indicate relatedness, justify specific family relationships using Figure 1B, and determine where a trait evolved on the cladogram using characteristic data from Table 1.

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Question 5: Analyze Model or Visual Representation of a Biological Concept or Process

(a) DNA sequence comparison and evolutionary relationships

(b) Using Figure 1 to justify relationships among ruminant families

(d) Explaining convergent evolution using Figure 1A

# AP Biology Sample Student Responsesand Scoring Commentary Inside: Free-Response Question 5 ☑ Scoring Guidelines ☑ Student Samples ☑ Scoring Commentary ◎2023 College Board.College Board,Advanced Placement,AP,AP Central,and the acorm logo are registeredtrademarks of College BoardVisit College Board on the web:collegeboard.org.AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program:apcentral.collegeboard.org. ## Question 5:Analyze Model or Visual Representation ofa Biological Concept or Process Ruminants are hoofed animals,including cattle and sheep,that have a unique four-chambered stomachspecialized to digest tough,fiber-filled grasses.Researchers studying ruminants are investigating themorphological and molecular characteristics of different ruminant families in order to determine theevolutionary relationships among the families.Cladograms of several ruminant families were constructedbased on morphological data(Figure 1A)and molecular data (Figure 1B).Table 1 shows a sample of themorphological characteristics present in each family used to construct the cladogram in Figure 1A. A B Figure 1.Cladogram of six ruminant families based on(A)morphological data and(B)molecular data TABLE 1.MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOUND IN EACH RUMINANT FAMILY | Characteristic
Number | Morphological
Characteristic | Tragulidae | Giraffidae | Bovidae | Moschidae | Antilocapridae | Cervidae | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Extra tooth
material | | | X | | X | | | 2 | Third stomach | | X | X | X | X | X | | 3 | Double
opening for
tear ducts | | | | | X | X | (a)Describe how a scientist would use a comparison of the DNA sequences of different1 pointorganisms to suggest the most likely evolutionary relationship among the organisms. · The(DNA)sequences of organisms that are more closely related are more similar (than those of organisms that are less closely related). (b)Based on Figure 1,explain why Bovidae is likely to be more closely related to Moschidae1 pointthan it is to Giraffidae. Accept one of the following: ·(The molecular data/Figure 1B support(s)this relationship,and)molecular data aremore reliable (than are morphological data). ·(The molecular data/Figure 1B support(s)this relationship.)Morphological similarities may not reliably indicate evolutionary relatedness. (c)Using the template in the space provided for your response,represent the point(s)at1 pointwhich characteristic 1,listed in Table 1,evolved by marking“X”on the line(s)of thecladogram in the correct location(s). Sample Response: · Response must show an X placed on the line leading to Bovidae and an X placed on | | the line leading to Antilocapridae. | | | --- | --- | --- | | (d) | Based on Figure 1A,explain why a characteristic found only in the Cervidae and Bovidae | 1 point | | | families is more likely evidence of convergent evolution than it is of common ancestry. | | | | Accept one of the following: | | | | ·There are other families that have the same common ancestor as the Bovidae and | | | | Cervidae families but do not have the characteristic. | | | | ·It is more likely that the characteristic arose independently in Cervidae and Bovidae
than it arose in their common ancestor and was lost in Giraffidae,Moschidae,and
Antilocapridae. | | | | | | | | | | | | Total for question 54 points | | BEGIN Question 5 | Begin your response to QUESTION 5 on this page.Do not skip lines.
Tragulidae Giraffidae Bovidae Moschidae Antilocapridae Cervidae
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FAQs

How does comparing DNA sequences help determine evolutionary relationships?

More closely related organisms have more similar DNA sequences than organisms that are less closely related.

Why is Bovidae more closely related to Moschidae than to Giraffidae?

Molecular data in Figure 1B supports this relationship, and molecular data is more reliable than morphological data for inferring evolutionary relatedness.

How should characteristic 1 be represented on the cladogram?

Place an X on the line(s) leading to Bovidae and an X on the line(s) leading to Antilocapridae, indicating where the trait evolved according to the prompt and table.

Sep 29, 2026

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