Classification of organisms

Question 1

What is phylogeny?

Answer 1

Study of evolutionary history of groups of organisms. Based on evolutionary relationships and characteristics of ancestors

Question 2

What is a species?

Answer 2

A group of organisms with similar features in which individuals can reproduce with other individuals to produce fertile offspring

Question 3

What is taxonomy?

Answer 3

Involves naming organisms and organising them into groups to make it easier to identify

Question 4

Name the 8 levels of hierarchy of taxonomy

Answer 4

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus (uppercase)
Specie (lowercase)

Question 5

Name and explain the three domains

Answer 5

Bacteria: a group of single celled prokaryotes
Archaea: a group of single celled prokaryotes that differ from bacteria
Eukarya: a group of organisms made up of one or more eukaryotic cells

Question 6

What is courtship behaviour?

Answer 6

Behaviour carried out by organisms to attract a mate of the right species

Question 7

Name 3 types of technology that can clarify evolutionary relationships

Answer 7

1. Genome sequencing
2. Comparing amino acid sequences
3. Immunological comparisons