5.3 Classification of biodiversity Flashcards
What is the binomial system of nomenclature?
The binomial system of nomenclature is a universal naming convention for all living organisms, consisting of two parts: the genus name and the species name. The genus name starts with a capital letter, while the species name starts with a lowercase letter. Both names are italicized or underlined
Why is the binomial system universal among biologists?
The binomial system is universal among biologists because it has been agreed upon and developed at a series of congresses. It provides a standardized way to name species, facilitating clear communication and scientific research across different languages and regions
How do taxonomists classify species?
Taxonomists classify species using a hierarchy of taxa, from domain to species. This hierarchical system allows organisms to be grouped based on shared characteristics, with each level representing a more specific grouping
What are the three domains into which all organisms are classified?
All organisms are classified into three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota. This classification is based on differences in cellular structure and ancestry
What are the principal taxa for classifying eukaryotes?
The principal taxa for classifying eukaryotes are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species
Explain natural classification and its benefits.
In a natural classification, the genus and higher taxa consist of all the species that have evolved from one common ancestral species. This system helps in the identification of species and allows the prediction of characteristics shared by species within a group, based on their shared evolutionary history
What is a dichotomous key?
A dichotomous key is a series of paired opposing statements that guide the user to the identity of an item or organism. It is used to quickly identify organisms by sequentially narrowing down the classification based on visible features
Differentiate between the phyla Bryophyta, Filicinophyta, Coniferophyta, and Angiospermophyta.
Bryophyta: Non-vascular, includes mosses; reproduces via spores.
Filicinophyta: Vascular, includes ferns; reproduces via spores.
Coniferophyta: Vascular, includes cone-bearing trees; reproduces via seeds in cones.
Angiospermophyta: Vascular, includes flowering plants; reproduces via seeds from fruits
Recognise features of the phyla Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, and Chordata.
Porifera: Sponges; bodies full of pores, asymmetrical, filter feeders.
Cnidaria: Jellyfish, corals; radial symmetry, medusae and polyps forms.
Platyhelminthes: Flatworms; bilateral symmetry, simple digestive system.
Annelida: Segmented worms; complete digestive system, closed circulatory system.
Mollusca: Snails, octopus; mantle, radula, open circulatory system.
Arthropoda: Insects, spiders; developed digestive system, exoskeleton.
Chordata: Vertebrates; backbone, advanced nervous system
Differentiate between the classes of vertebrates: Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, and Fish.
Mammalia: Warm-blooded, hair or fur, mammary glands.
Aves: Warm-blooded, feathers, lay eggs, most can fly.
Reptilia: Cold-blooded, dry scales, most lay eggs.
Amphibia: Cold-blooded, moist skin, lay eggs, breathe through skin and lungs.
Fish: Cold-blooded, scales, lay eggs, breathe through gills
Explain how species are named upon discovery using the binomial system.
When a new species is discovered, it is given a scientific name using the binomial system, which includes two parts: the genus name and the species name. This system ensures a universal naming convention that is recognized globally among biologists
How do taxonomists reclassify groups of species with new evidence?
Taxonomists reclassify groups of species when new evidence, such as DNA sequencing, shows that a previous taxon contains species that have evolved from different ancestral species. This helps in keeping the classification system accurate and reflective of evolutionary relationships
How does natural classification facilitate the identification of species and prediction of characteristics?
Natural classifications help in the identification of species and allow the prediction of characteristics shared by species within a group because they are based on evolutionary relationships. This means that species grouped together have a common ancestor and are likely to share similar traits
Which plant phyla have vascular tissue?
The plant phyla that have vascular tissue are Filicinophyta (ferns), Coniferophyta (conifers), and Angiospermophyta (flowering plants). Vascular tissue, consisting of xylem and phloem, allows these plants to transport water and nutrients efficiently
