4.2.2 classification and evolution

Question 1

What is the taxonomic group hierarchy?

Answer 1

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Question 2

What are the five kingdoms?

Answer 2

Prokaryotae (bacteria)
Protoctista (unicellular eukarotoes)
Fungi (e.g. yeast, moulds etc.)
Plantae (plants)
Animalia (animals)

Question 3

What are the general features of a Prokaryotae?

Answer 3

Unicellular.
No nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles- a ring of ‘naked’ DNA- small ribosomes.
No visible feeding mechanism- nutrients absorbed through cell wall or by photosynthesis.

Question 4

What are the general features of a Protoctista?

Answer 4

(mainly) Unicellular.
A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Some have chloroplasts.
Some are sessile, but others move by cilia, flagella, or amoeboid mechanisms.
Nutrients acquired by photosynthesis (autotrophic feeders), ingestion of other organisms (heterotrophic feeders), or both.

Question 5

What are the general features of Fungi?

Answer 5

Unicellular or multicellular.
A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles and a cell wall mainly composed of chitin.
No mechanisms for locomotion.
Most have a body or mycelium made of threads or hyphae.
Nutrients are acquired by absorption-mainly from decaying material (saprophytic feeders).
Most store their food as glycogen.

Question 6

What are the general features of Plantae?

Answer 6

Multicellular.
A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
All contain chlorophyll.
Most do not move.
Nutrients are acquired through photosynthesis (autotrophic feeders).
Store food as starch.

Question 7

What are the general features of Animalia?

Answer 7

Multicellular.
A nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
No chloroplasts.
Move with aid of cilia, flagella, or contractile proteins.
Nutrients are acquired by ingestion (heterotrophic feeders).
Food stored as glycogen.