Chapter 2: Classification process Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
A system of classification, particularly biological
Why do we classify?
To see trends, patterns etc and evolution. It condenses the amount of information needed to be stored
Limitations of classifications
People interpret things differently and it cannot be too complex creating inconsistencies
What are the Linnaean taxon hierarchical levels?
Domain, Kingdom, phylum, division, class, order, family, genus and species.
What are the 3 domains?
Eukarya (eukaryotes), Archaea and Bacteria.
What are the 4 Kingdoms?
Animalia, Plantea, Protista and Fungi
What is Binomial nomenclature?
Taxa can be named with a single latin word, describing the last two levels
Classification by reproductive methods
Is used to refine Linnaeus’ Taxonomy. E.g. Mammalia goes into 3 groups: Eutherians, Marsupials and monotremes. Also based on the r/K selection
What is Eutherians?
A mammal gives birth to a fully developed baby
What is a marsupial?
A mammal which gives birth to a live young, but continues to develop in the pouch
What is a monotreme?
A mammal which lays eggs
What is r/K selection?
A mathematical number based on number of offspring and parental involvement
Define the term clade
A group of organisms believed to descend from a common ancestor
What features are used to create cladograms?
Common ancestry, bifurcation and physical change
What are molecular homologies?
The identification of shared genes, can demonstrate share ancestors
How does protein conservation relate to common ancestors?
As protein which are effective are conserved and those which aren’t are mutated, species which share conserved proteins could have come from a common ancestor
How does protein conservation relate to common ancestors?
As protein which are effective are conserved and those which aren’t are mutated, species which share conserved proteins could have come from a common ancestor
Analyse data via molecular sequences to determine species relatedness
The most similar sequences is the most related, e.g. figure 2.6.1 pg 35
What is a residue?
A single unit that makes up a polymer
What is histone?
Histones prevent all genes from being expressed at once, the DNA must be unwrapped to access the gene
How do we figure out when a species gene mutation occurred?
Through mutation rate, a naturally occurring process, the estimated number of base pair changes per nucleotide per generation.
Why do we need multiple definitions of species?
The widespread definitions does not apply to all
What is biological species concept?
A species whose member have the potential to interbreed and produced viable, fertile offspring.
What limitations occur with the biological species concept?
Cannot be applied to prehistoric organisms and hybrids
What is morphological species concept?
A definition of species based on characteristics
What is phylogenetic species concept?
The definition based on the smallest group of individuals having a common ancestor.
What is one example of species which does not produce fertile offspring?
Mule due to their missing chromosome. They are unable to form gametes through meiosis.
What are the 4 species interactions and how can they help classify organisms?
Competition, symbiosis, predation and disease. If they both have the same relationship, it could show species relatedness
What is competition?
Species compete with each other to fulfil their needs of survival.
What is symbiosis?
3 terms:
Parasitism - one species benefit at the others expense
Commensalism - on species benefits, the other is not harmed
Mutualism - both species benefit
What is predation?
The predator kills the prey and consumes it for survival.. Their relation ship is as one population increases, do does the other and as the population decreases so does the other.
What is disease?`
Disease causing pathogens kill or harm their host
interpret the data to classify an ecosystem.
Pg 45
What are the two classifications of ecosystems?
Terrestrial or aquatic
What is a terrestrial ecosystem?
Tundras, deserts, open forest and temperate grasslands. Water and temperature vastly effect the type of organisms which can live there. Temperatures ranges from 0 - above 40 and rain is unpredictable
What is an aquatic ecosystem?
Marine (salt water) and freshwater environments.
What is the first 200m of marine environments called?
Photic zone and has 90% of all marine life
How does identifying the habitat help manage ecosystems?
Being able to know the habitat helps identify keystone species as well has ensure the habit sustains its ideal conditions for organisms to survive
What is the purpose of stratified sampling?
To appropriately estimate the population, density, distribution and environmental gradients to classify and manages ecosystems
How to choose a site for stratified sampling?
Find a site and divide into strata ensuring none overlap
How to minimise bias?
Use a random number generator to pick numbers
What to use when surveying?
Quadrats and transects
How to calculate density of species?
Pg 52, world example 2.11.1
