3.4.5 Species and Taxonomy

Question 1

Define Species

Answer 1

A group of organisms that can be interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Question 2

What are the advantages of Courtship behaviour?

Answer 2

Individuals can recognise sexually mature members of their own species of the opposite sex, synchronise mating, form a pair bond and successfully breed

Question 3

Define Classification

Answer 3

Process of arranging organisms into groups

Question 4

Name the 8 groups an organism can be classified into (largest to smallest)

Answer 4

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

Question 5

What system is used to give species a universal name?

Answer 5

Binomial naming system

Question 6

What are the 2 components to a Binomial name?

Answer 6

• Generic name which is the genus the organism belongs to. 2 closely related species will share the same genus
• Species name is the species the organism belongs to

Question 7

How are Binomial names handwritten?

Answer 7

• Generic name: 1st letter is capitalised and the rest is lowercase
• The whole name should be underlined

Question 8

What is Phylogenetic classification?

Answer 8

Process of arranging organisms into groups based on their evolutionary origins and relationships

Question 9

How can we clarify Evolutionary relationships between organisms?

Answer 9

• Analyse their molecular differences
• Advances in immunology/genome sequencing provides clear pictures of how related 2 organisms are

Question 10

Explain Hierarchical classification?

Answer 10

• Groups within groups
• No overlap between groups