Ch-1: Classification

Question 1

Define:

Species

Answer 1

A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring. It is also the smallest natural group of organisms

Question 2

Explain the meaning of the term binomial system, with an example

Answer 2

The binomial system is an internationally agreed system of naming organisms. The binomial system has 2 parts - a genus name and a species name. Every organism has a genus and species name.

Ex: Panthera tigris. The genus name, which is ‘Panthera’ here, always starts with a capital letter, while the species name, which is ‘tigris’ here, always starts with a lowercase letter. The names should be italcised or underlined.

Question 3

What does arthopods mean and what are their main characteristics?

Answer 3

The name ‘arthopod’ means ‘jointed limbs’. The main characteristics are:
* They have a hard, firm external skeleton, called a cuticle
* Their bodies are segmented, and between the segments, there are flexible joints, which allow movement
* The segments are grouped together to form three different regions; head, thorax & abdomen

Question 4

State the four classes of arthopods

Answer 4

• Insects
• Arachnids
• Crustaceans
• Myriapods

Question 5

State the five classes of vertebrates

Answer 5

• Fish
• Amphibian
• Reptile
• Mammal
• Bird

Question 6

What are the main characteristics of Insects along with examples?

Answer 6

• examples: wasp, dragonfly
• body divided into head, thorax & abdomen
• 3 pairs of legs
• Usually have 2 pairs of wings
• 1 pair of compound eyes
• 1 pair of antennae

Question 7

What are the main characteristics of Arachnids along with examples?

Answer 7

• examples: mite, spider
• body divided into cephalothorax & abdomen
• 4 pairs of legs
• 1 pair of pedipalps for biting and poisoning prey
• several pairs of simple eyes
• No antennae

Question 8

What are the main characteristics of Crustaceans along with examples?

Answer 8

• examples: crab, woodlouse
• body divided into cephalothorax and abdomen
• 5 or more pairs of limbs
• exoskeleton often forms a hard covering over most of the body
• 1 pair of compound eyes
• 2 pairs of antennae

Question 9

What are the main characteristics of Myriapods along with examples?

Answer 9

• examples: centipede, millipede
• body obviously not divided into thorax and abdomen
• 10 or more pairs of limbs
• No wings
• simple eyes
• 1 pair of antennae

Question 10

What are the main characteristics of Fish along with examples?

Answer 10

• examples: trout, rohu, sharks
• scales
• fins (also used for balance)
• produce jelly covered eggs in water
• Eyes; No ears;lateral line along body for detecting vibrations in water
• cold-blooded;gills for breathing

Question 11

What are the main characteristics of Amphibians along with examples?

Answer 11

• examples: frog, toad, newt
• moist skin
• 4 limbs, back feet are often webbed to make swimming more efficient
• produce jelly-covered eggs in water
• eyes; ears
• cold-blooded; lungs and skin for breathing

Question 12

What are the main characteristics of Reptile along with examples?

Answer 12

• example: lizard, snake
• dry skin with scales
• 4 legs(apart from snakes
• produce eggs with rubbery, water-proof shell; laid on land
• eyes; ears
• cold-blooded; lungs for breathing

Question 13

What are the main characteristics of Birds along with examples?

Answer 13

• example: pigeon, sparrow
• feathers, with scales on legs
• 2 wings and two legs
• produce eggs with a hard shell; laid on land
• eyes; ears
• warm-blooded, lungs for breathing; beaks

Question 14

What are the main characteristics of mammals along with examples?

Answer 14

• example: moose, striped hyena
• Fur
• 4 limbs
• produce live young
• eyes; ears with a pinna (external flap)
• warm-blooded; lungs for breathing; females have mammary glands to produce milk to feed young; 4 types of teeth