Classification processes Flashcards
Describe the four features of the Linnaean system of classification
Define interspecific hybrid and give an example
Interspecific hybrid species are crossing plants belonging to two different species that are not normally sexually compatible. For example a Zonkey (zebra and donkey)
Define interspecific hybrid and give an example
Interspecific hybrid species are crossing plants belonging to two different species that are not normally sexually compatible. For example a Zonkey (zebra and donkey)
Define interspecific hybrid and give an example
Interspecific hybrid species are crossing plants belonging to two different species that are not normally sexually compatible. For example a Zonkey (zebra and donkey)
Define Limiting factors
Anything that constrains population size and slows or stops it from growing
Explain ways that you can classify species
Looking at physical traits; reproductive methods (eutherian, marsupial, monotreme), Linnaean taxa. Or molecular sequence, (DNA sequence, protein sequence)
List the Linnaean taxa from general to most specific
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
What are the two methods of reproduction and give examples
R-selected species is when species reproduce fast in an unstable environment. They produce many ‘cheap’ offspring with a high growth rate and low survivability. However, K-selected species takes more time to produce an offspring. They produce only a few yet expensive offspring and have low growth rate but high survivability
What are common assumptions of cladistics
- All life evolved from a single ancestor - any group of organisms will share a common ancestor at some point in the past
- The offspring of an ancestral species diverge dichotomously in a process called cladogenesis
- Organisms become increasingly different as they continue evolving from their point of cladogenesis
What is the process of stratified sampling
Purpose, site selection, ecological surveying technique, minimizing bias, methods of data representation
What is the purpose of stratified sampling
Process of identifying areas within an overall habitat, which may be very different from each other and which need to be sampled separately.
Explain site selection
It is important that it is clearly marked out and the location is accurately recorded so further surveys can be made. The number of samples in each stratum should reflect their relative species. E.g. if 10% of the area is grass then 10% of quadrats should be placed
Explain three sampling methods
- Quadrats - useful for when the organisms in the area being sampled do not move very much and provides a representation of the area
- Transects - useful for investigating change over a distance in ecosystem. Determines the distribution within the community
- Capture-recapture - involved capturing a number of individuals, marking them and releasing them. It involves Lincoln index to estimate population size
Explain how to minimise bias
Size and number of samples (great number of samples = more accuracy), Random number generators (reduces human bias), Counting criteria (a consistent rule for when individuality is difficult to determine), Calibrating equipment and noting precisions (to ensure precise data and accurate representations)
Explain how to present data
The information can be used to classify the ecosystem, identify the different habitats within the ecosystem or identify relationships between organisms. Can be presented in tables/graphs/transect profiles.
