Classification Flashcards
Define classification
The act of arranging organisms into groups based on their similarities and differences
Why do we classify organisms?
To make it easier to identify them and study them
Taxonomy definition
The study of classification
How do classification systems work?
By placing organisms into a taxonomic heirarchy
What are the 8 levels of taxonomic groups? (in order)
-Domain
-Kingdom
-Phylum
-Class
-Order
-Family
-Genus
-Species
Keep Pond Clean Or Frog Gets Sick
What happens to the groups as you move down the heirarchy?
There are more groups but fewer organisms in each group
What are the 5 kingdoms in the five kingdom classification system?
- Prokaryotae
- Protoctista
- Fungi
- Plantae
- Animalia
What are the general features of the Prokaryotae group?
- Prokaryotic
- Unicellular
- No nucleus
- Less than 5 nanometers
What are the general features of the Protoctista group?
- Eukaryotic cells
- Usually live in water
- Single celled or simple multicellular organisms
General features of the Fungi group
- Eukaryotic cells
- Chitin cell wall
- Saprotrophic
- Single celled or multicellular organisms
Define saprotrophic
-Can absorb substances from dead or decaying organisms
General features of Plantae group
- Eukaryotic cells
- Multicellular
- Cell walls made of cellulose
- Can photosynthesise
- Contain chlorophyll
- Autotrophic
General features of Animalia group
- Eukaryotic
- Multicellular
- No cell walls
- Heterotrophic
What is the naming system used for classification called?
The binomial system
How does the binomial naming system work?
- The first part of the name is the genus name, and has a capital letter
- The second part of the name is the species, written with a lower case letter
- Names are always written in italics
Why is the binomial system used?
-To help avoid the confusion of using common names, e.g. over 100 different species are called raspberries