classification Flashcards
describe the linnaean system
was developed by Carl Linnaeus and is based on the hierarchy of groups
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D - domain
K - kingdom
P - phylum
C - class
O - order
F - family
G - genus
S - species
define each sect of the linnaean system
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D - domain; broadest category, e.g. bacteria, archaea
K - kingdom; next level of classification, e.g. plants, fungi
P - phylum; based on major body plans or features, e.g. chordata is for vertebrates
C - class; the type of animal they are, e.g. mammal
O - order; each class is then divided into orders, e.g. carnivores
F - family; ancestor they came from, e.g., cats are from the feline family
G - genus; a group of closely related species, e.g. panthers include lion, tigers and leopards
S - species; organisms that can be interbred to produce fertile offspring, e.g. panthera leo is lions
describe three reasons why classification is important
-» since there are many species on this earth, it helps scientists organise and study them systematically
-» shows evolutionary relationships between animals
-» helps scientists recognise, organise and name animals clearly
-» understand biodiversity and conservation
-» medicine and agriculture
describe the binomial naming system
each species has a two-part scientific name, starting with a genus and then ending with a species
the genus must be capitalised but the species should not and they both should be written in italics
describe the three domains of life
bacteria -
single-celled prokaryotic organisms
archaea -
single-celled prokaryotic organisms with distinct biochemical and genetics properties
e.g. hot springs, salt lakes
eukarya -
eukaryotic organisms
describe the five kingdoms of life
-» animalia ( animals )
multicellular, eukaryotic organisms.
heterotrophic (consume other organisms for food)
e.g. humans, dogs, insects.
-» plantae ( plants )
multicellular, eukaryotic organisms.
autotrophic ( produce their own food through photosynthesis )
e.g. trees, flowers, grasses.
-» fungi
multicellular or unicellular, eukaryotic organisms.
absorb nutrients from decaying organic matter ( heterotrophic) .
e.g. mushrooms, yeast, molds.
-» protista ( protists )
mostly unicellular, eukaryotic organisms.
can be autotrophic or heterotrophic.
e.g. amoeba, paramecium, algae.
-» monera ( bacteria and cyanobacteria )
unicellular, prokaryotic organisms.
includes bacteria and blue-green algae.
e.g. streptococcus bacteria, cyanobacteria.
describe a phylogenetic tree
evolutionary relationships between different species based on similarities and differences in their characteristics
describe cladistics
method of classification based on shared derived characteristics (traits that appear in recent species but not in their ancestors)
describe four methods of classification
morphological -
based on shape, size and structure of an animal
genetic similarities -
DNA sequences are compared to determine evolutionary relationships
biochemical characterises -
chemical processes within organisms
behavioural traits -
certain behaviours may be used to classify animals
define a dichotomous key
identify organisms based on a series of choices between two characteristics at each step
e.g., “does the plant have leaves?” yes/no