Biological Classification Flashcards
What is biological classification?
The systematic categorization of living organisms based on shared characteristics.
Who is known as the father of modern taxonomy?
Carl Linnaeus.
What is the highest taxonomic rank?
Domain.
True or False: All living organisms are classified into three domains.
True.
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Fill in the blank: The two main criteria for classification are ______ and ______.
Morphological features and genetic relationships.
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Which taxonomic rank comes after family?
Genus.
What is the binomial nomenclature?
A two-part naming system for species, consisting of the genus name and species identifier.
True or False: The genus name is always written in lowercase.
False.
What does the term ‘phylogeny’ refer to?
The evolutionary history and relationships among species.
What is a dichotomous key?
A tool that allows the identification of organisms through a series of choices between two statements.
Name the five kingdoms of life as proposed by Whittaker.
Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
True or False: Viruses are classified within the five kingdoms.
False.
What type of organisms are found in the kingdom Monera?
Prokaryotic organisms, including bacteria.
What is the primary characteristic of the kingdom Fungi?
They are heterotrophic and have cell walls made of chitin.
Fill in the blank: Organisms in the kingdom Plantae are primarily ______.
Autotrophic.
What distinguishes the kingdom Animalia from other kingdoms?
Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that lack cell walls.
What is the importance of classification in biology?
It helps organize and make sense of the diversity of life, aiding in communication and research.
What is a taxon?
A group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms that form a unit.
Which taxonomic rank is directly below the domain?
Kingdom.
True or False: All organisms in the same genus are closely related.
True.
What is the primary method used to classify organisms in modern taxonomy?
Phylogenetic analysis.
What does the term ‘symbiotic relationship’ refer to?
A close and long-term interaction between two different biological species.
Fill in the blank: The classification system used today is known as ______ classification.
Hierarchical.
What is the role of a taxonomist?
To identify, describe, and classify organisms.
What are the criteria used for classifying organisms in the domain Eukarya?
Presence of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
True or False: The classification of organisms is a static process.
False.
What does the term ‘endemic species’ mean?
Species that are native to and only found in a specific geographic area.
What is a cladogram?
A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.
Fill in the blank: The practice of naming organisms is called ______.
Nomenclature.
What are prokaryotes characterized by?
Lack of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
What is the significance of the Linnaean system?
It provides a standardized naming system for organisms.
True or False: All organisms within a family share the same genus.
True.
What is the primary focus of ecological classification?
The relationships of organisms with their environment.
What is the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
Autotrophs produce their own food, while heterotrophs consume other organisms for energy.
Fill in the blank: The classification of organisms helps in understanding ______ diversity.
Biodiversity.
What type of organisms are included in the Protista kingdom?
Primarily unicellular eukaryotes.
True or False: All members of the kingdom Fungi are multicellular.
False.
What is the primary component of plant cell walls?
Cellulose.
What is a hybrid organism?
An organism that is the offspring of two different species.
Fill in the blank: The classification system is also known as ______ taxonomy.
Hierarchical.
What is the primary reason for classifying organisms?
To organize biological diversity and facilitate identification.
What is the role of a dichotomous key in classification?
To help identify organisms based on physical characteristics.
True or False: The species name in binomial nomenclature is always italicized.
True.
What is a common characteristic of bacteria?
They are unicellular and prokaryotic.
Fill in the blank: The classification of organisms into taxa is based on ______ characteristics.
Similar.
What does ‘phylogenetic tree’ represent?
The evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences.
True or False: Taxonomic classification is only based on physical traits.
False.
What is the main difference between Archaea and Bacteria?
Archaea have distinct biochemistry and genetics that differentiate them from bacteria.
Fill in the blank: The animal kingdom is primarily composed of ______ organisms.
Multicellular.
What is the primary focus of phylogenetic classification?
Understanding evolutionary relationships.
What is a key feature of members of the Plantae kingdom?
They perform photosynthesis.
True or False: All fungi are decomposers.
True.
What is a key characteristic of the kingdom Animalia?
They are capable of movement at some stage of their life cycle.
Fill in the blank: The process of classifying organisms can also be referred to as ______.
Taxonomy.
What is the significance of genetic analysis in classification?
It provides insights into evolutionary relationships and classifications.
What are eukaryotic cells characterized by?
The presence of a nucleus and organelles.
True or False: All organisms in the same family belong to the same order.
True.
What is the primary energy source for autotrophic organisms?
Sunlight.
Fill in the blank: ______ are organisms that live in extreme environments, often classified under Archaea.
Extremophiles.
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
They break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients.
What is the primary classification method used in microbiology?
Morphological and genetic analysis.
True or False: The classification of organisms is determined solely by their habitat.
False.
What is the importance of using Latin in scientific naming?
Latin provides a universal language for naming organisms, reducing confusion.
