B6.4 Classification of living organisms

Question 1

Traditionally, how have we classified living things into groups?

Answer 1

Based on their cell structure and characteristics.

Question 2

Who developed the first true classification system of living organisms?

Answer 2

Carl Linnaeus.

Question 3

What are the titles of each classification level?

Answer 3

Kingdom, Phylus, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 4

Escherichia coli and homo sapiens are examples of the naming of organisms by the binomial system. Which two classification groups are used in these names?

Answer 4

Genus (Escherichia and homo) and species (coli and sapiens)

Question 5

Name two developments which led to new classification systems being invented.

Answer 5

Developments in microscopes and development in the understanding of biochemical processes in cells.

Question 6

Carl Woese proposed the “three-domain system” for living organisms. What are these three domains?

Answer 6

Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota

Question 7

What are “Archaea”?

Answer 7

Primitive (old) bacteria often living in extreme environments.

Question 8

Give an example of a type of cell in the Bacteria domain.

Answer 8

E. coli, S. Typhimurium, S. aureus

Question 9

Give an example of a type of cell in the Eukaryota domain.

Answer 9

Protists, fungi, plants and/or animals