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Life Sciences > Classification > Flashcards

Classification Flashcards

1
Q

What does it mean that classification systems are a hierarchy?

A

There are levels of organisation in the system:
bigger groups are subdivided into smaller groups

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2
Q

Define biodiversity:

A

The variety of life on earth

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3
Q

What are classification schemes used for?

A

To organise the huge range of biodiversity into groups.

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4
Q

How are organisms grouped?

A

Based on common features and characteristics (traits)

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5
Q

What did Linnaeus (Carl von Linne) devise?

A

Linnaeus devised a system of classification for living organisms known as the :
Linnaean taxonomy
This system organizes organisms into hierarchical categories called taxa, which range from broad to specific.

He also devised: Binomial naming system

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6
Q

What is a taxon?

A

Shared features/ characteristics (traits) of the organisms were used to group them s single group (the taxon)

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7
Q

Arrangement of taxa?

A

Arranged from biggest to smallest and become more specific as the size of the group gets smaller

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8
Q

Name the 7 taxonomic groups from biggest to smallest:

A

-Kingdom
-Phylum / phyla (animals) OR division (plants)
-Class
-Order
-Family
-Genus (genera)
-Species

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9
Q

Why was the binomial naming system (LATIN) useful for classification.

A

Latin was understood universally by scientists, therefore organisms could be identified and named accurately. This eliminated confusion and incorrect naming and classification
AND
Meaning of words wouldn’t change over time.

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10
Q

Structure of BINOMIAL NAMING SYSTEM

A

(Genus) (species)

Underlined **

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11
Q

Scientific name of HUMANS

A

Homo sapiens

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12
Q

The kingdom system of Linnaeus:
THE 5 MAIN KINGDOMS OF LIVING ORGANISMS:

A
  1. Monera
  2. Protista
  3. Fungi
  4. Plantae
  5. Animalia
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13
Q

The kingdom system of Linnaeus:
THE 5 MAIN KINGDOMS OF LIVING ORGANISMS:

A
  1. Monera
  2. Protista
  3. Fungi
  4. Plantae
  5. Animalia
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14
Q

How are organisms grouped into the 5 kingdoms?

A

Based on Diagnostic features

  1. Body structure
  2. Cell structure
  3. Cell wall composition
  4. Mode of nutrition
  5. Type of reproduction
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15
Q

monera: body structure

A

Unicellular / colonies

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16
Q

Protista: body structure

A

Unicellular / Multicellular

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17
Q

Fungi: body structure

A

Multicellular

(Few are unicellular - eg. Yeast)

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18
Q

Plantae: body structure

A

Multicellular

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19
Q

Animalia: body structure

A

Multicellular

(Some unicellular -amoeba)

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20
Q

Monera: cell structure

A

Prokaryotic

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21
Q

Protista: cell structure

A

Eukaryotic (true nucleus)

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22
Q

Fungi: cell structure

A

Eukaryotic

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23
Q

Plantae: cell structure

A

Eukaryotic

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24
Q

Animalia: cell structure

A

Eukaryotic

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25
Q

Monera: cell wall composition

A

Cellulose

(Some : chitin)

26
Q

Protista: cell wall composition

A

Cellulose

(Some none)
(Some chitin)

27
Q

Fungi: cell wall composition

A

Chitin

(Some: cellulose)

28
Q

Plantae: cell wall composition

A

Cellulose

29
Q

Animalia: cell wall composition

A

None

30
Q

Monera: mode of nutrition

A

Heterotroph

(Some autotroph : Cyanobacteria)

31
Q

Protista: mode of nutrition

A

Heterotrophic;

(Some autotroph)

32
Q

Fungi: mode of nutrition

A

Heterotroph

33
Q

Plantae: mode of nutrition

A

Autotrophic

(Some: heterotrophic)

34
Q

Animalia: mode of nutrition

A

Heterotrophic

35
Q

Monera: type of reproduction

A

Asexual

36
Q

Protista: type of reproduction

A
  • Asexual: in favourable (good) conditions

*Sexual: in unfavourable conditions only. (Survival)

37
Q

Fungi: type of reproduction

A
  • Asexual: favourable conditions
  • Sexual: unfavourable conditions only
38
Q

Plantae: type of reproduction

A
  • Asexual: favourable conditions
    *Sexual: unfavourable conditions only

**EXCEPT: Angiosperms (flowering plants) = Sexual reproduction

39
Q

Animalia : type of reproduction

A

Sexual

OR Asexual (unicellular organisms)

40
Q

Why are viruses not classified into a group

A

Viruses are non-living: inactive until in a cell

41
Q

Which kingdoms are microorganisms.

A

CAN’T BE SEEN WITH NAKED EYE

  1. Monera
  2. Protista
  3. Fungi
42
Q

Which kingdoms are macro-organisms ?

A

CAN BE SEEN WITH NAKED EYE

  1. Fungi
  2. Plantae
  3. Animalia
43
Q

Define: Organism

A

An organism must possess the 7 life processes to be classified as living

(Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition

44
Q

Define: Microorganisms

A

These organisms are not visible to the naked eye.
Magnification allows them to be seen (microscope, hand lens)

*Viruses don’t belong to a kingdom but are also microorganisms

45
Q

Define: Macroorganisms

A

Organisms which are larger than microorganisms and are visible to the naked eye.

46
Q

Define: Species

A

A species is a group of organisms with:
1. Shared characteristics
2. Living in a defined area
3. Close enough to interbreed
4. Produce a fertile offspring

47
Q

Define: viruses

A

Viruses are not currently classed as a living organism as they do not present the 7 life processes.

*they only REPRODUCE (must be inside cell to do so)
* ACELLULAR (not true cell): parasitic particles organised at basic level

*Only active once inside host cell , using host cell’s structures to reproduce. When they are not inside the cell, they are inert (inactive)

Eg. HIV, influenza , colds

48
Q

Acellular =

A

Not true cell

49
Q

Inert=

A

Inactive

50
Q

Parasitic=

A

Harmful
(Lives on other organisms)

51
Q

Define: Classification/ Biological key

A

A classification key is a series of questions that determine an organism’s physical characteristics
and when you answer one question, it either branches off to another question or identifies the organism.

52
Q

What are keys used for?

A
  1. Identify an unknown organism
  2. Work out how to categorise groups of similar organisms
53
Q

Type of key:
Dichotomous Key :(flow chart / list)

A

A tool that uses a series of yes or no questions, statements, or descriptions that are ordered or grouped in pairs in order to identify a specimen within a defined group of specimens.

54
Q

Explain Linnaeus’s contribution to modern biology

A

Came up with taxonomic groups and 5 kingdom classification used to SORT and GROUP organisms

55
Q

Why is it important to record indigenous knowledge (medicinal use)

A

Preserves for future generations: cultural heritage
More accurate than to pass info down orally

56
Q

Why is it important to record common names

A

Common names reflects a plant’s apparence and use

Most people in community know common name, making it easier for scientists to find

  • more accessible = increased awareness = increased conservation
57
Q

Why do scientists collect many samples before classifying?

A

To observe and study: physical characteristics
*then group based on similarities and differences

58
Q

Scientist’s next step after collecting samples:

A
  1. Make observations : similarities/ differences
  2. Drawings with annotations: to record specific characteristics
59
Q

What type of scientist studies the classification of organisms?

A

Taxonomist

60
Q

Scientific skill: ready a dichotomous key

A

Critical physical observation

Life Sciences (4 decks)

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