Classification Flashcards
Define hierarchal
A system of ranking in which small groups are nested components of larger groups
Define phylogenetic
Reflecting evolutionary relatedness
Define taxon
Any group within a system of classification
State the taxonomic groups in order size
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Describe what is meant by groups being discrete
Organisms can’t belong in more than one group at the same taxonomic level
Explain why classification is described as having tentative (unsure) nature
Classification is based on information available at the time, and is subject to change as new information comes to light
E.g. in 2020 research on penguin DNA revealed 4 species of Gentoo penguins and not 1
What are the three domains
Eubacteria - ‘true’ bacteria
Archaea - prokaryotes
Eukarya - eukaryotes
Where does evidence from the 3 lineages come from
Ribosomal RNA studies
What are the 5 kingdoms
Prokaryotae
Animalia
Plantae
Fungi
Protoctista
State the characteristics of prokaryotae
- cells without membrane-bound organelles
- 70s ribosomes and peptidoglycan cell walls
- unicellular
State the characteristics of animalia
- multicellular eukaryotes
- do not have cell walls
- heterotrophic
- they have nervous co-ordination
State the characteristics of fungi
- eukaryotes that are either multicellular or unicellular
- cell walls made of chitin
- heterotrophic
- multicellular fungi grow in long threads called hyphae
- reproduce by spores
State the characteristics of protoctista
- unicellular eukaryotic organisms
- heterotrophic, autotrophic or both
- diverse grouping
Define species
Group of organisms with similar characteristics that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
Binomial naming
First name is capitalised and gives the genus
Second is in lower case and gives the species name
