Classification Flashcards
Taxonomy
A system of classification, particularly biological or the study of these systems
Physical Traits
Using what an organism physically looks like, starting with large differences (no. of limbs) then getting more precise
Reproductive Methods
An organism that reproduces sexually with internal fertilisation is different fro animals who reproduce asexually.
Molecular Sequences (DNA)
Molecular sequences are inherited from ancestors and can provide clues on whether organisms share an ancestor despite physical differences.
Linnaean Classification
Based on similarities in obvious physical traits and consists of a hierarchy of taxa, from domain to species.
Taxa
Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.
Common Ancestry
Where two species have a single ancestor species that both have diverged from
Bifurcation
Division of something into two branches or parts
Physical Change
Over time, organisms physical characteristics will change as they become better suited to environment
Species
Refers to a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
List Taxa of Linaean Classification in order
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Phylogentic Trees
A dichotomus branching diagram showing evolutionary relationship.
1st Classification Assumption
Because all life evolved from a single ancestor, any group of organisms will share a common ancestor at some point in the past.
2nd Classification Assumption
The offspring of an ancestral species diverge dichotomously in a process called cladogenesis.
3rd Classification Assumption
Organisms become increasingly different as they continue evolving from their point of cladogenesis.
