2c- Identification and taxonomy Flashcards
Identification of an organism in a sample can be made using what three things?
- classification guides
- biological keys
- analysis of DNA or protein
In what two ways can organisms be classified by?
- taxonomy
- phylogenetics
What does taxonomy involve?
The identification and naming of organisms and their classification into groups based on shared characteristics
What is classic taxonomy classification based on?
Morphology
What is phylogenetics?
The study of evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms
What does phylogenetics use to make inferences about an organisms evolutionary history and create a phylogenetic tree?
- morphology
- DNA sequences
- protein structure
What is a phylogeny (or phylogentic tree)?
A diagrammatic hypothesis on an organisms relationships to other organisms
What can genetic evidence be used to reveal?
Relatedness obscured by divergent or convergent evolution
What does familiarity with taxonomic groupings allow for?
Predictions and inferences to be made about the biology of an organism from better-known (model) organisms
What are three examples of taxonomic groups?
- nematodes- round worms (e.g. tapeworms)
- arthropods- joint-legged invertebrates (e.g. wasps, butterflies, crabs)
- chordates- sea squirts and vertebrates (e.g. birds, mammals, fish)
What are model organisms?
Those that are either easily studied or have been well studied
What are five examples of model organisms which have been very important in the advancement of modern biology?
- the bacterium E. coli
- the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana
- the nematode C. elegans
- the arthropod Drosophila melanogaster (a fruit fly)
- mice, rats and zebrafish (all chordates)
What can model organisms be used for?
Information obtained from them can then be applied to other species that are more difficult to study directly
