10.1 Species and taxonomy Flashcards
Define classification
The organisation of living organisms into groups
Species
Organisms that are capable of reproducing to produce fertile offspring
Binomial system
System that identifies organisms by two names
what is the binomial system based on?
universal system based on latin and greek names
what is the first name on the binomial system?
the generic name, the genus
the surname (shared with others)
what is the second name on the binomial system?
the specific name, the species
the first name (not shared by other species in the genus)
what is courtship behaviour?
Sequence of actions to attract members of the opposite sex of the same species in order to mate
what is courtship useful for?
- recognise members of their own species
- identify a mate that is capable of breeding
- form a pair bond (successful mating)
- synchronise mating (max. probs. of mating)
- become able to breed (intecise the opposite sex to mate)
what is taxonomy?
the theory and practice of biological classification
what is artificial classification?
Analogous characteristics are used to identify them
- same function but not from the same evolutionary origin
what is phylogenetic classfication?
- based on relationship between organisms and their ancestors
- classifies species into groups with shared features derived from their ancestors
- arranges groups into a hierarchy, larger composite groups with no overlap
what’s a taxon?
each group within a phylogenetic biological classification
what are the classification names?
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
what does courtship prevent? and why?
it stops interbreeding
as species have different courtship behaviours
