Classifiction of organisms Flashcards
Why do scientists use binomial names for species instead of common names?
Binomial names are internationally recorgnised names that are unique to each species. This helps to avoid confusion of using common names, which are frequently shared between lots of species.
Which two taxonomic groups are used in the binomial system?
genus and species
How does the phylogenetic classification system group organisms together?
The phylogenetic classification system groups organisms together based on their evolutionary origins and relationships to other organisms.
Describe how taxonomic groups are arranged in a hierarchy.
Taxonomic groups are arranged in a hierarchy with the largest groups at the top and the smallest groups at the bottom. As you move down the hierarchy, there are more groups at each level but fewer organisms in each group. Each group also becomes more closely related. There is no overlap between the groups.
Explain how behaviour like that of the giraffes’ can be used to help classify organisms.
E.g. it allows male giraffes to be able to recognise female members of their own species. This prevents interbreeding with other species and makes reproduction more successful.
Lions are a species of cat and are part of the Felidae family. Their Latin name is Panthera leo. The table below shows the classification of lions.
What are the missing taxonomic groups in the table labelled A - E?
A is domain, B is phylum, C is order, D is family and E is genus.
Suggest why it might be difficult for scientists to classify two similar looking fossils as members of the same species.
A species is defined as a group of similar organisms that are able to reproduce to give fertile offspring. Scientists cannot classify similar looking fossils by this definition because, well, they’re fossils. They’re dead.
