Biological_Classification_Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms.
Why is classification important for scientists?
It helps scientists organize and understand the diversity of life.
Who is known as the ‘Father of Taxonomy’?
Carolus Linnaeus.
What is binomial nomenclature?
The naming system of Carolus Linnaeus.
What are the two parts of a scientific name?
Genus and Species.
How did Linnaeus classify organisms?
Based on their shared characteristics.
Which two animals are most closely related: Swift Fox and Dog or Swift Fox and Cat?
Swift Fox and Dog.
Which contains more closely related organisms: Class or Phylum?
A class contains organisms that are more closely related than a phylum.
What happens to the number of organisms as you move from domain to species?
The number of organisms decreases.
What is the order of classification levels?
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Which kingdom would an unknown organism belong to?
Protista.
What is the best term to describe a classification diagram?
Domains.
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
What is one major difference between Eukarya and Bacteria/Archaea?
Eukarya have cells with a nucleus, while Bacteria and Archaea do not.
What are the six kingdoms of life?
Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
What characteristics are used to classify organisms?
Cell type (prokaryotic or eukaryotic), cell number (unicellular or multicellular), and mode of nutrition (autotroph or heterotroph).
Which domains and kingdoms contain prokaryotic organisms?
Domains Bacteria and Archaea; Kingdoms Eubacteria and Archaebacteria.
Which domain and kingdoms contain eukaryotic organisms?
Domain Eukarya; Kingdoms Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
In which domain would multicellular organisms be classified?
Eukarya.
What are two characteristics of prokaryotes?
They lack a nucleus and lack membrane-bound organelles.
What is a dichotomous key?
A tool that uses a series of paired statements to identify organisms.
How does a dichotomous key work?
By working through the statements, you can identify an unknown organism.
What kind of beetle is shown in the diagram?
A Ladybird Beetle.
Why are archaebacteria called ‘ancient’ bacteria?
They thrive in extreme conditions similar to early Earth.
What are three types of archaebacteria?
Thermophiles, halophiles, and methanogens.
Where can archaebacteria live?
Extreme environments like hot springs, salt lakes, and deep-sea vents.
Where can bacteria live?
Various habitats including soil, water, and inside other organisms.
Are all bacteria harmful?
No, some bacteria are beneficial and play important roles in decomposition and nitrogen fixation.
What are three types of bacteria?
Cocci, bacilli, and spirilla.
What are the three bacterial shapes?
Coccus (spherical), bacillus (rod-shaped), and spirillum (spiral-shaped).
Why are protists called the ‘catchall’ group?
They are a diverse group that don’t fit neatly into other kingdoms.
How can protists be classified?
Animal-like (e.g., amoeba), plant-like (e.g., algae), or fungus-like (e.g., slime molds).
How does an amoeba move?
Pseudopods.
How does a paramecium move?
Cilia.
How does a euglena move?
Flagellum.
How do fungi get their food?
By absorbing nutrients from their surroundings.
How do fungi reproduce?
By spores.
What structure anchors fungi in the soil?
Hyphae.
What structure in a mushroom absorbs water and nutrients?
Mycelium.
How are animals divided?
Into groups called phyla.
What are the two general groups of animals?
Vertebrates and invertebrates.
Give examples of vertebrates.
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Give examples of invertebrates.
Insects, worms, mollusks, and sponges.
What symmetry does a sponge have?
Asymmetry.
What symmetry does a sea anemone have?
Radial symmetry.
What symmetry does a beetle have?
Bilateral symmetry.
How are plants divided?
Into groups called divisions.
How can plants be classified?
As vascular or nonvascular based on water and nutrient transport.
What are examples of nonvascular plants?
Mosses and liverworts.
What are examples of vascular plants?
Ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
What are the reproductive structures of angiosperms?
Flowers and fruits.
What type of cells do all plants have?
Eukaryotic cells.
