Chapter 12: Diversity of Life

Question 1

define taxonomy

Answer 1

• arrangement law
• science of naming and grouping species into an internationally shared classification system

Question 2

define taxon

Answer 2

• group at each level
• species, genus, family, etc
• each is capitalized except for species
• genus and species are italicized

Question 3

define binomial nomenclature

Answer 3

• scientific or latin name
• two name system includes genus and species
• genus capitalized, species not capitalized, both italicized
• ex: Canis lupus (in italics)

Question 4

define LUCA

Answer 4

• last universal common ancestor
• cellular organism that has a lipid bilayer and used DNA, RNA, and proteins (things all organisms have)
• does not still exist

Question 5

define phylogenic tree

Answer 5

• diagram based on shared characteristics
• shows evolution and relationships among organisms
• map of evolutionary history
• hypothesis of evolutionary past

Question 6

define sister taxa

Answer 6

• two lineages that stem from the same branch point
• two species that descended from a common ancestor

Question 7

define branch point

Answer 7

• point where split occurs in phylogenic tree
• represents where a single lineage evolved into distinct new ones

Question 8

define rooted

Answer 8

• means there is a single ancestral taxon at the base of a phylogenic tree to which all organisms represented in the diagram descend form

Question 9

what are the 3 domains

Answer 9

• bacteria
• archaea
• eukarya

Question 10

what makes bacteria and archaea similar

Answer 10

• unicellular
• prokaryotes

Question 11

how are eukarya different from bacteria and archaea

Answer 11

• unicellular or multicellular
• eukaryotes: have nucleus and multiple organelles

Question 12

describe the taxonomic classification system (linnaean system)

Answer 12

• uses hierarchical model
• higher levels (species) are more specific than lower levels (domain)

Question 13

list the order of taxonomic classification in order from most broad to most specific

Answer 13

• domain
• kingdom
• phylum
• class
• order
• family
• genus
• species

Question 14

do taxonomic classifications ever change

Answer 14

• yes
• new advancements can be made that change our understanding of evolutionary relationships between organisms

Question 15

what are 2 incorrect assumptions about the phylogenic tree

Answer 15

• more closely related organisms look more alike: may look very different after evolution of major adaptation
• branches show length of time since evolution: only shows order of evolutionary events, no relation to time

Question 16

why does phylogeny matter

Answer 16

• used to study evolution and transmission of disease
• important for making decision about conservation efforts