3.4.5 Species + Taxonomy Flashcards
What’s phylogeny
The study of the evolutionary history of groups of organisms
Tells us who’s related to who + how closely related they are
What can be shown in a phylogenetic tree/system
That all organisms have evolved from shared common ancestors (relatives)
What a phylogenic system
Grouping organisms bases on them evolutionary relationships between organisms + their ancestors
What’s taxonomy
The theory + practice of biological classification
It involves naming organisms + organising them into groups
How many levels of groups are used to classify organisms
What are these called
8
Taxa (a taxon)
What are the positions within taxonomy called
Taxonomic ranks
What are the groups arranged in
A hierarchy with the largest organisms at the top and smallest at the bottom
What’s a hierarchy
A layered system with no overlaps
Groups within groups
What’s artificial classification
Grouping organisms according to differences that are useful at the time e.g colour, number of legs, leaf shape
What system is still used today
The Linnaean system
What’s the Linnaean system in order
Domain
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
What’s the plural of genus
Genera
What part of the Linnaean system is as a capital letter
Genus
What part of the Linnaean system is as a lower case letter
Species
How is a cladogram set out
Oldest species at base of tree
Most recent species at ends of branches
Closer branches - closer evolutionary relationship
