AQA A Level Biology: Species and taxonomy Flashcards
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
What is courtship behavior?
A sequence of actions performed by animals to attract a mate and ensure species recognition.
Why is courtship behaviour important?
It helps identify members of the same species, attract a mate, and synchronize mating.
What are the two main outcomes of successful courtship?
Reproduction and passing on genes to the next generation.
What is taxonomy?
The classification of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.
What is phylogeny?
The evolutionary history and relationships between organisms.
What is a phylogenetic tree?
A diagram showing the evolutionary relationships between species based on common ancestry.
What is classification?
The process of grouping organisms based on their similarities and differences.
What are the two types of classification?
Artificial and phylogenetic classification.
What is artificial classification?
Grouping organisms based on observable characteristics, regardless of evolutionary relationships.
What is phylogenetic classification?
Grouping organisms based on their evolutionary relationships and common ancestry.
What is hierarchical classification?
A system where organisms are placed into groups within larger groups with no overlap.
What is a taxon on?
A group within a classification system.
List the seven taxonomic ranks in order.
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
What is a domain?
The highest taxonomic rank, which includes Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
What is the binomial naming system?
A system that gives each organism a two-part Latin name: genus and species.
Why is the binomial system used?
It provides a universal and consistent way to identify species.
What is the first part of the binomial name?
The genus, which is capitalized.
What is the second part of the binomial name?
The species, which is written in lowercase.
What are homologous characteristics?
Traits inherited from a common ancestor, used in phylogenetic classification.
What are analogous characteristics?
Traits that perform a similar function but are not derived from a common ancestor.
What is molecular phylogeny?
The analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins to determine evolutionary relationships.
How does molecular phylogeny help classify organisms?
It identifies similarities and differences in genetic material to determine relatedness.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms in an ecosystem.
What is species richness?
The number of different species in a community.
How does taxonomy relate to biodiversity?
Taxonomy helps classify and organize the diversity of life.
What is the difference between a genus and a species?
A genus contains closely related species, while a species is a group capable of interbreeding.
How do new species arise?
Through speciation, driven by genetic variation, natural selection, and reproductive isolation.
What is the difference between taxonomy and classification?
Taxonomy is the science of naming and organizing organisms, while classification is the process of grouping them.
How does DNA comparison support phylogeny?
More similar DNA sequences indicate closer evolutionary relationships.
What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes have both.
