Biological Classification Flashcards

1
Q

What is biological classification?

A

The systematic categorization of living organisms based on shared characteristics.

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2
Q

Who is known as the father of modern taxonomy?

A

Carl Linnaeus.

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3
Q

What is the highest taxonomic rank?

A

Domain.

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4
Q

True or False: All living organisms are classified into three domains.

A

True.

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5
Q

What are the three domains of life?

A

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

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6
Q

Fill in the blank: The two main criteria for classification are ______ and ______.

A

Morphological features and genetic relationships.

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7
Q

What is a species?

A

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

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8
Q

Which taxonomic rank comes after family?

A

Genus.

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9
Q

What is the binomial nomenclature?

A

A two-part naming system for species, consisting of the genus name and species identifier.

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10
Q

True or False: The genus name is always written in lowercase.

A

False.

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11
Q

What does the term ‘phylogeny’ refer to?

A

The evolutionary history and relationships among species.

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12
Q

What is a dichotomous key?

A

A tool that allows the identification of organisms through a series of choices between two statements.

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13
Q

Name the five kingdoms of life as proposed by Whittaker.

A

Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

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14
Q

True or False: Viruses are classified within the five kingdoms.

A

False.

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15
Q

What type of organisms are found in the kingdom Monera?

A

Prokaryotic organisms, including bacteria.

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16
Q

What is the primary characteristic of the kingdom Fungi?

A

They are heterotrophic and have cell walls made of chitin.

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: Organisms in the kingdom Plantae are primarily ______.

A

Autotrophic.

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18
Q

What distinguishes the kingdom Animalia from other kingdoms?

A

Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that lack cell walls.

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19
Q

What is the importance of classification in biology?

A

It helps organize and make sense of the diversity of life, aiding in communication and research.

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20
Q

What is a taxon?

A

A group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms that form a unit.

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21
Q

Which taxonomic rank is directly below the domain?

A

Kingdom.

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22
Q

True or False: All organisms in the same genus are closely related.

A

True.

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23
Q

What is the primary method used to classify organisms in modern taxonomy?

A

Phylogenetic analysis.

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24
Q

What does the term ‘symbiotic relationship’ refer to?

A

A close and long-term interaction between two different biological species.

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25
Q

Fill in the blank: The classification system used today is known as ______ classification.

A

Hierarchical.

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26
Q

What is the role of a taxonomist?

A

To identify, describe, and classify organisms.

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27
Q

What are the criteria used for classifying organisms in the domain Eukarya?

A

Presence of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

28
Q

True or False: The classification of organisms is a static process.

A

False.

29
Q

What does the term ‘endemic species’ mean?

A

Species that are native to and only found in a specific geographic area.

30
Q

What is a cladogram?

A

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.

31
Q

Fill in the blank: The practice of naming organisms is called ______.

A

Nomenclature.

32
Q

What are prokaryotes characterized by?

A

Lack of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

33
Q

What is the significance of the Linnaean system?

A

It provides a standardized naming system for organisms.

34
Q

True or False: All organisms within a family share the same genus.

A

True.

35
Q

What is the primary focus of ecological classification?

A

The relationships of organisms with their environment.

36
Q

What is the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs?

A

Autotrophs produce their own food, while heterotrophs consume other organisms for energy.

37
Q

Fill in the blank: The classification of organisms helps in understanding ______ diversity.

A

Biodiversity.

38
Q

What type of organisms are included in the Protista kingdom?

A

Primarily unicellular eukaryotes.

39
Q

True or False: All members of the kingdom Fungi are multicellular.

A

False.

40
Q

What is the primary component of plant cell walls?

A

Cellulose.

41
Q

What is a hybrid organism?

A

An organism that is the offspring of two different species.

42
Q

Fill in the blank: The classification system is also known as ______ taxonomy.

A

Hierarchical.

43
Q

What is the primary reason for classifying organisms?

A

To organize biological diversity and facilitate identification.

44
Q

What is the role of a dichotomous key in classification?

A

To help identify organisms based on physical characteristics.

45
Q

True or False: The species name in binomial nomenclature is always italicized.

A

True.

46
Q

What is a common characteristic of bacteria?

A

They are unicellular and prokaryotic.

47
Q

Fill in the blank: The classification of organisms into taxa is based on ______ characteristics.

A

Similar.

48
Q

What does ‘phylogenetic tree’ represent?

A

The evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences.

49
Q

True or False: Taxonomic classification is only based on physical traits.

A

False.

50
Q

What is the main difference between Archaea and Bacteria?

A

Archaea have distinct biochemistry and genetics that differentiate them from bacteria.

51
Q

Fill in the blank: The animal kingdom is primarily composed of ______ organisms.

A

Multicellular.

52
Q

What is the primary focus of phylogenetic classification?

A

Understanding evolutionary relationships.

53
Q

What is a key feature of members of the Plantae kingdom?

A

They perform photosynthesis.

54
Q

True or False: All fungi are decomposers.

A

True.

55
Q

What is a key characteristic of the kingdom Animalia?

A

They are capable of movement at some stage of their life cycle.

56
Q

Fill in the blank: The process of classifying organisms can also be referred to as ______.

A

Taxonomy.

57
Q

What is the significance of genetic analysis in classification?

A

It provides insights into evolutionary relationships and classifications.

58
Q

What are eukaryotic cells characterized by?

A

The presence of a nucleus and organelles.

59
Q

True or False: All organisms in the same family belong to the same order.

A

True.

60
Q

What is the primary energy source for autotrophic organisms?

A

Sunlight.

61
Q

Fill in the blank: ______ are organisms that live in extreme environments, often classified under Archaea.

A

Extremophiles.

62
Q

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

A

They break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients.

63
Q

What is the primary classification method used in microbiology?

A

Morphological and genetic analysis.

64
Q

True or False: The classification of organisms is determined solely by their habitat.

A

False.

65
Q

What is the importance of using Latin in scientific naming?

A

Latin provides a universal language for naming organisms, reducing confusion.