Chapter 8

Question 1

Archaea

Answer 1

One of the three domains in the Woese system of classification that includes those prokaryotic organisms known as archaeans

Question 2

Bacteria

Answer 2

One of the three domains in the Woese system of classification that includes those prokaryotic organisms known as bacteria;

(singular = bacterium) microscopic, usually unicellular organism, and member of Kingdom Monera)

Question 3

binomial system of

naming

Answer 3

System of naming organisms, introduced by Linnaeus, in which all species are given a two-part scientific name, the first part being the generic name and the second being the trivial (specific) name

Question 4

biodiversity

Answer 4

Total variety of life forms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part; biodiversity can relate to planet Earth or to a given region

Question 5

cladogram

Answer 5

Diagram, based on cladistic study, that shows the inferred relationship between different groups of organisms

Question 6

class

Answer 6

Taxonomic grouping consisting of members of related orders

Question 7

classification

Answer 7

Artificial process of organising things into groups according to one or more criteria

Question 8

criterion

Answer 8

Basis for separating a large group into smaller groups

Question 9

cyanobacteria

Answer 9

one group of photosynthetic bacteria

Question 10

cycads

Answer 10

an ancient group of palm-like land plants that produce toxic compounds

Question 11

dichotomous key

Answer 11

Means of identifying organisms based on a series of questions, each able to be answered by selecting one of two alternatives

Question 12

DNA barcoding

Answer 12

A new and rapid means of differentiating species based on the DNA sequence of a particular gene

Question 13

DNA sequencing

Answer 13

A process of determining the order of bases along one chain of a DNA segment

Question 14

Domains

Answer 14

Three major groups — Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya — each containing several kingdoms

Question 15

Eukarya

Answer 15

One of the three domains in the Woese system of classification that includes all eukaryotic organisms

Question 16

family

Answer 16

Taxonomic grouping consisting of members of related genera

Question 17

generic name

Answer 17

Name of the genus to which an organism belongs; first part of a scientific name

Question 18

genus

Answer 18

(plural = genera) taxonomic group consisting of members of related species

Question 19

herbarium

Answer 19

(plural = herbaria) institution where scientific collections of plant specimens are held

Question 20

keys

Answer 20

Means for identification of organisms based on a series of questions

Question 21

Macroscopic

Answer 21

Of a size that is visible to the unaided eye

Question 22

Microscopic

Answer 22

Of a size that can be seen only through a light microscope

Question 23

Order

Answer 23

taxonomic grouping consisting of members of related families

Question 24

phylum

Answer 24

(plural = phyla) taxonomic grouping consisting of members of related classes

Question 25

protein sequencing

Answer 25

process of identification of the order of the various amino acids in a protein

Question 26

Species

Answer 26

Taxonomic unit consisting of organisms capable of mating and producing viable and fertile offspring

Question 27

specific name

Answer 27

second part of the scientific name of a species, such as sapiens (in Homo sapiens)

Question 28

taxonomy

Answer 28

area of study concerned with the describing, naming and classification of organisms

Question 29

vascular plants

Answer 29

plants that have xylem and phloem tissue