Concept and use of a classification system Flashcards
How can organisms be classified?
Organisms can be classified into groups by the features they share
Define: species
A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring
What do classification systems aim to reflect?
Classification systems aim to reflect the theory of evolutionary relationships
What was classification traditionally based on?
Classification is traditionally based on studies of morphology and anatomy
What are more accurate means of classification?
The sequences of bases in DNA and of amino acids in proteins are used as a more accurate means of classification
What can the DNA base sequences theoretically suggest?
In theory, organisms which share a more recent ancestor (are more closely related) have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a distant ancestor
Define and describe the binomial system.
The binomial system of naming species is an internationally agreed system in which a scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and species.
Binomial = ?
Binomial = ‘two name’
