8 - Classification Flashcards
Define ‘taxamony’
The scientific practive of grouping organisms based on shared characteristics
Define ‘classification’
The way in which living organisms are divided into groups
Define ‘hierarchical’
It consists of:
Smaller groups withing larger groups
No overlap between groups
What are the main taxonomic ranks?
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Damily, Genus, Species
Describe the binomial naming system
First is genus name with capital letter
Second is species name with small letter
Describe the evolutionary relationships between organisms in the phylogenetic system
The closer the branches, the closer the evolutionary relationship, therefore the more recently they shared a common ancestor
How can you clarify evolutionary relationships?
Genome sequencing Comparing amino acid sequences Immunological comparisons Courtship behaviour Observable characteristics
Define ‘species’
A group of organisms with similar characteristics that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
What are the functions of courtship behaviour?
Species recognition
Synchronising reproductive behaviour
Identifying a mate that is capable of breeding
Formation of a pair bond
What are the ways of investigating genetic diversity?
Frequency of measurable or observable characteristics
Base sequence of DNA
Base sequence of mRNA
Amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by DNA and mRNA
Immunological techniques
How can you avoid sampling bias?
Use random sampling to ensure every member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample.
Use a large sample
