Classification

Question 1

What is classification?

Answer 1

Sorting organisms into different groups and naming them

Question 2

Why does classification make it easier for scientists to study organisms without getting confused? Give examples

Answer 2

Because every type of organism has a different name e.g Homo sapien (humans) or Ursus maritimus (polar bears)

Question 3

What are organisms arranged into different groups depending on? Give example

Answer 3

Depending on their similarities and differences e.g all animals are grouped together, and all plants are grouped together in a separate group because they’re different to animals

Question 4

What are organisms placed in groups in?

Answer 4

Placed in groups in classification hierarchies

Question 5

Describe a classification hierarchy and give examples

Answer 5

The biggest groups (e.g animals and plants) are split into smaller groups (e.g animals with a backbone in one group and animals without a backbone in another) These groups are split again into more smaller groups and so on

Question 6

What is a species?

Answer 6

A group of organisms that look similar and can reproduce to give fertile offspring (their children can reproduce)

Question 7

How did older classification systems group organisms?

Answer 7

Based only on how they look

Question 8

Name 3 newer classification systems and explain them (newer systems also use looks)

Answer 8

DNA - how similar and different the base sequence is (e.g ATTTAC vs ATTTAT)

Other molecules - e.g proteins and enzymes

Early development - How they grow from an embryo to a baby