Cut edges, or bridges, are edges in a graph whose removal increases the number of connected components, while cut vertices are vertices whose removal has the same effect. Identifying a cut edge involves checking if its deletion disconnects the graph, resulting in more connected components. Similarly, a cut vertex can be found by determining if its removal leads to an increase in connected components. Visual aids, such as diagrams, can help clarify the distinction between cut edges and cut vertices. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing graph connectivity.