Classification Flashcards
What are the 5 kingdoms?
Plantae, animalia, fungi, prokaryote, protocstita
Define classification
Putting similar organisms into groups based on shared similarities e.g anatomy, physiology, behaviour
Define taxonomy
The study of principles of classification
Define taxon
a group
Define hierarchy
A series of smaller and smaller groups
Define phylogeny
The study of evolutionary relationship between organisms
What modern evidence is available to taxonomists now?
- DNA/genes
- RNA
- Amino acids + proteins
- Lipid structure in membranes
In order, what is the taxonomic hierarchy?
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
What are the criteria for being a species?
- interbreeding group
- produce viable and fertile offspring
- have similarities in anatomy, biochemistry
- share common ancestry
- occupy some ecological niche
Why is it important to have a universal system fir naming organisms?
So a specific organism can be identified
What are the rules for writing the name of a species?
Genus species (Genus beginning with a capital letter, followed by species beginning with a lowercase letter)
Define species
An interbreeding group capable of producing viable and fertile offspring which have similarities in anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology and share common ancestry
Why are horses and donkeys considered separate species?
Though able to interbreed, they are not able to produce fertile offspring
Why are mules not considered a separate species?
They are infertile
Why do mules not have a scientific name?
They are not a species
Why does differing numbers of chromosomes in interbreeding animals produce infertile offspring?
Meisosis cannot occur as the different numbers of chromosomes mean the chromosomes are unable to match up
What is binomial nomenclature?
The two name system of naming organisms using genus and species
What is a phylogenetic tree?
The evolutionary relationships between organisms are represented as a branching tree
What is a sister group?
Groups with a recent split, the two groups that diverged most recently
What is a common ancestor?
A group of organisms everything else has evolved from
What is a node? (in relation to phylogenetic trees)
Divergence of a species
What is a tip? (in relation to phylogenetic trees)
Present day organisms
If two species have a recent divergence, are they closely related?
Yes. The more recent the divergence, the more closely related organisms are
Which taxon is larger than kingdoms?
Domain
