Chapter Five: Classification - Overview

Question 1

Aristotle’s Method of Classification

Answer 1

• divided organisms into two groups: plants and animals
• animals were further divided according to similarities: red blood/without red blood, land animals, water animals, etc
• problem was that many organisms didn’t easily fit into the system

Question 2

Carolus Linnaeus

Answer 2

Swedish botanist who broadened Aristotle’s system based on his own morphological studies.

Question 3

Binomial Nomenclature

Answer 3

Linnaeus’ system of organization; gives each organism a scientific name with two parts:

1. Name of the genus (capital letter)
2. Specific Epithet (species’ name - lowercase)

Question 4

Why is latin used for binomial nomenclature?

Answer 4

1. Unchanging language
2. Historical language of science and education
3. Organisms have different names depending on the language, and more than one name can be used for the same organism
4. Common names do not have rules

Question 5

Taxon

Answer 5

A named group or category of organisms, ranging from broad characteristics to specific

Question 6

Order of taxa (8)

Answer 6

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 7

Example of taxa levels

Answer 7

Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Canidae, Canis, {Canis lupus - wolf}, {Canis Latrans - coyote}, {Canis familiaris - domestic dog}

Question 8

Early Classification: Original Domains (2)

Answer 8

1. Prokarya

2. Eukarya

Question 9

Carl Woese

Answer 9

Analyzed the base sequence of rRNA caused Woese to propose a third domain, Archaea

Question 10

New Technologies that have Changed Organism Classification (2)

Answer 10

1. Deep Divergence: differences in DNA analyzed to determine how long ago species began to diverge
2. Biochemical tests: determine the presence of specific molecules in cells. The similarity in molecules established the relatedness of the organism

Question 11

Kingdom Archaebacteria

Answer 11

• Bacteria that survives in the most extreme environments

- believed to be the least evolved forms of life on earth (‘archae’ = ancient)

Question 12

Three types of Archaea

Answer 12

1) Methanogens: produce methane and are found in the guts of rudiment animals
2) Halophiles: salt lovers
3) Thermophiles: extreme temperature lovers

Question 13

Characteristics of Archaea (5)

Answer 13

1. Unicellular
2. Prokaryotic
3. Microscopic
4. Different lipid and cell wall chemistry than other bacteria
5. Heterotrophs or Autotrophs

Question 14

Peptidoglycan (murein)

Answer 14

Polymer consisting of two kinds of alternating sugars. Amino acids create a netlike structure that is porous but strong.

Question 15

Characteristics of Bacteria plus example (6)

Answer 15

1. Cell walls without peptidoglycan
2. Unicellular
3. Prokaryotic
4. Autotroph or heterotroph
5. Decomposers
6. Some cause disease, others beneficial
   Ex) Streptococcus

Question 16

Kingdom Protista

Answer 16

Organisms that do not seem to fit anywhere else

Question 17

Characteristics of Protista - plus an example (5)

Answer 17

1. Eukaryotic
2. Unicellular
3. Autotrophic or Heterotrophic
4. Move by flagella or cilia, but lack complex organ systems
5. Major part of the food chain, produce most of the world’s oxygen
   Ex) Amoeba

Question 18

Characteristics of Fungi - plus an example (6)

Answer 18

1. Eukaryotic
2. Unicellular or multicellular
3. Heterotrophic
4. Non-motile
5. Natural recyclers of nutrients by decomposing organic matter, used as food products
6. Cell walls of chitin
   Ex) mushroom, yeast

Question 19

Characteristics of Plantae (5)

Answer 19

1. Eukaryotic
2. Multicellular
3. Photosynthetic - autotrophs
4. Cell walls with cellulose
5. Tissues and organ systems
   Ex) Moss, flowers

Question 20

Characteristics of Kingdom Animalia (6)

Answer 20

1. Multicellular
2. Heterotrophic
3. Have tissues and organ systems
4. Motile
5. No cell walls
6. Nine major phyla