Classification, Inheritance and Variation Flashcards
What is Classification?
Classification is the method used by scientists to order living organisms. All species have a unique classification that results in a binomial name. Vertebrates are an example of a classification group. Keys can be used to help to identify individual organisms
What is a kingdom?
The first rank in the classification system is called a kingdom
Name the five Kingdoms and what are they based on?
There are five kingdoms, based upon what an organism’s cells are like:
- animalia (all multicellular animals)
- plantae (all green plants)
- fungi (moulds, mushrooms, yeast)
- prokaryotae (bacteria, blue-green algae)
- protoctista (Amoeba, Paramecium).
Name the further divisions of classification?
There are several further ranks before we reach a particular species. In order, these are:
- kingdom
- phylum
- class
- order
- family
- genus
- species
For example, lions have the following classification:
- kingdom - animal
- phylum - vertebrate
- class - mammal
- order - carnivorous
- family - cat
- genus - big cat
- species - lion.
One way to remember this is by using a daft sentence like this one:
“Kevin plays clarinet or flute - grotty sound!”
What are all organisms known by?
All organisms are known by their binomial name which is the genus and species eg. Homo Sapiens - modern humans
Why is binomial classification important?
Binomial classification is important because it can:
- clearly identify species
- study and conserve species
- target conservation efforts.
Give characteristics and examples of the Animalia Kingdom?
Multicellular, no cell wall or chlorophyll, heterotrophic feeders. Examples: all multicellular animals, including: jellyfish, worms, arthropods, molluscs, echinoderms, fish, amphibia, reptiles, birds and mammals
Characteristics and examples of the Plantae kingdom
Multicellular, have cell walls and chlorophyll, autotrophic feeders. Examples: all green plants, including: algae, ferns and mosses (plants that do not produce seeds), conifers and flowering plants (plants that do produce seeds)
Characteristics and examples of the Fungi kingdom
Multicellular, have cell walls, do not have chlorophyll, saprophytic feeders. Examples: moulds, mushrooms, yeast
Characteristics and examples of the Protoctista kingdom
Usually unicellular, with a nucleus eg amoeba. Examples: amoeba and paramecium
Characteristics and examples of the Prokaryotes kingdom
Unicellular, with no nucleus eg bacteria. Examples: bacteria and blue-green algae
Example of classification of a species Homo Sapiens
- *Rank Classification Notes**
- *kingdom, animalia**
- *phylum,** chordates, animals with a supporting rod running the length of the body eg backbone
- *class,** mammals, animals that are warm-blooded, have lungs and body hair, produce milk and give birth to live young
- *order,** primates, ape-like animals
- *family,** hominids, human-like animals
- *genus,** homo, humans
- *species,** sapiens, modern humans
Certain organsims can be difficult to classify like Euglena, why?
Because it has:
- chloroplasts, like a plant
- no cell wall, like an animal
- a flagellum to swim with, like some bacteria
Why are viruses not classified as a living thing?
- it does not show all seven processes for life
- when it enters a cell it changes the way a cell works so it can make copies of the virus.
What are vertebrates?
Animals with a backbone
What are Chromosomes?
Rod shaped bodies found in the nucleas of cells that contain genetic information
The cell’s nucleus contains chromosomes made from long DNA molecules.
The diagram shows the relationship between the cell, its nucleus, chromosomes in the nucleus, and genes.
What is a dominant or recessive allele?
- A dominant allele that always expresses itself whether partnered by a recessive allele or by another like itself
- A recessive allele is a variant of gene which is masked or suppressed in the presenceof the dominant variant. A recessive gene will remain dormant unless paired with another recessive gene
