Classification and Variation

Question 1

Define Classification

Answer 1

Ranking of the biological classification of living things

Question 1

List the five kingdoms of life and be able to compare and
contrast between the kingdoms.

Answer 1

animal, plant, fungi, protist and monera

Question 2

Distinguish between vertebrate and invertebrates and
give examples of both.

Answer 2

Vertebrates have a backbone, while invertebrates don’t. Examples of vertebrates include birds and reptiles. Examples of invertebrates include insects and worms.

Question 3

Describe the properties of the Phylum Arthapods

Answer 3

Arthropods have jointed legs, segmented bodies, and an exoskeleton. An example is insects.

Question 4

Distinguish between insects and spiders.

Answer 4

Insects have six legs, three body segments (head, thorax, abdomen), and typically wings. Spiders have eight legs, two body segments (cephalothorax, abdomen), and produce silk.

Question 5

List and describe the properties of the five main groups
of vertebrates; fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and
mammals

Answer 5

Fish: Aquatic vertebrates with gills for respiration, scales covering their bodies, and typically fins for movement.
Amphibians: Vertebrates that start their lives in water with gills, then develop lungs for breathing on land.
Reptiles: Vertebrates with scaly skin, usually laying eggs. They are cold-blooded and breathe air through lungs.
Birds: Warm-blooded vertebrates with feathers, beaks, and wings. They lay hard-shelled eggs and are typically capable of flight.
Mammals: Warm-blooded vertebrates with hair or fur, mammary glands for milk production, and typically give birth to live young. They breathe air using lungs and regulate body temperature internally.

Question 6

Distinguish between cold and warm blooded animals.

Answer 6

Cold-blooded animals have body temperatures that fluctuate with their environment, while warm-blooded animals maintain a relatively constant internal temperature, regardless of the external environment.

Question 7

Define variation and describe common variations
between individuals

Answer 7

Variation refers to differences among individuals within a species. Common variations include differences in physical traits (such as size, color, and shape), genetic makeup, behavior, and physiological characteristics.

Question 8

Distinguish between continuous and discontinuous
variation and give examples of both.

Answer 8

Continuous variation involves a range of values for a trait within a population, with no distinct categories. Examples include height in humans or beak length in birds. Discontinuous variation involves distinct categories or classes for a trait, with little or no variation within each category. Examples include blood types in humans or flower color in certain plants.

Question 9

Genes are inherited from parent and they control traits
or characteristics in individuals. True or False?

Answer 9

True