4.5 Species and taxonomy

Question 1

Define species.

Answer 1

A group of organisms that can 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

The process of arranging organisms into

groups.

Question 4

Name the eight groups in the
classification hierarchy, from 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 two components to a

binomial name?

Answer 6

Generic name= the genus the organism
belongs to. Two closely related species
will share the same genus.
Specific name= the species the organism
belongs to.
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Question 7

How are binomial names handwritten?

Answer 7

The first letter of the generic name
should be capitalised, with the rest in
lowercase. The whole name should be
underlined.

Question 8

What is phylogenetic classification?

Answer 8

The 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 provide clear pictures of how
related two organisms are.

Question 10

Explain hierarchical classification.

Answer 10

● groups within groups

● no overlap between groups