5.3 Classification Flashcards
what is the binomial system of nomenclature?
the formation system why which all living species are classified (taxonomy)
why is the binomial system useful? (4)
- allows for identification and comparison of organisms based on recognised characteristics
- allows all organisms to be named according to a globally recognised scheme
- shows how closely related organisms are, allowing for the prediction of evolutionary linked
- makes it easier to collect, sort and group info about orgniasms
how does the binomial system designate a scientific name?
1st part - Genus
2nd part - species
what 3 domains are living things classified in?
- Eukarya - eukaryotic organisms that contain a membrane-bound nucleus (protist, plants, fungi & animals)
- Archae - prokaryotic cells lack nucleus and consist of the extremophiles
- eubacteria - prokaryotic cells lacking a nucleus and consist of the common pathogenic forms
why did the 2 prokaryotic domains once consist only as a single kingdom?
biochemical differenced between the 2 groups which warranted their reclassification into separate domains
what is taxonomy?
science involved with classifying groups of organisms on the bases of shared characteristics
state the hierarchy of taxa?
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
what domain do all plants and animal species belong to and why?
eukarya
- they are composed of eukaryotic cells
what are the 3 main schemes of classification used to identify living organisms?
artificial classification
natural classification
phylogenetic classification
what is artificial classification?
the arbitrarily selecting unifying characteristics first and the grouping organisms accordingly
what are 2 advantages of artificial classification?
easy to develop
relatively stable
what is the main disadvantage of artificial classification?
- they do not generally show the evolutionary relationship
eg. if organisms were classified according to the presence of fins then whales would be fish
what is natural classification?
involves grouping organisms based on similarities first then identifying shared characteristics
what do all members of a particular group share according to natural classification? (3)
- all members would have a common ancestor
- species of the same genus would have a common genus ancestor and be more closely related than species of the same order
- so organisms that share a lower taxa share all higher taxa
what are 3 advantages of natural classification?
- it identifies traits based on grouping rather than assigning groups based on traits
- which show evolutionary relationships
- can predict characteristics shared by species within a group
what is a disadvantage of natural classification?
they are highly mutable- tend to change as new information is discovered
- groups may be separated into genera if new evidence suggests they evolved from different ancestral species