Module 2A Flashcards
How can organisms be classified into groups?
According to shared characteristics.
Why does the variety of life make it hard to classify organisms into groups?
It is a continuous spectrum.
List the main classification groups.
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
Why is classification of identified species important?
It helps to identify evolutionary and ecological relationships that perhaps weren’t highlighted obviously before.
How can evolutionary relationships be easily presented?
The use of evolutionary tree’s.
How does ICT play a role in presenting evolutionary relationships?
Scientists can use computers to analyse lots of different genes that are responsible for lots of different characteristics as there will be a huge amount of data.
What are natural classification systems?
Classification systems based on evolutionary relationships.
What are artificial classification systems?
Systems made up for identification purposes.
How has DNA sequencing changed our understanding and development of our classification systems?
It allows us to see genetic differences between different groups so we may realise that two groups who we thought were closely related, actually are not.
Why do systems of classification change over time?
New species are discovered that may not fit into the already established system.
Define the term species?
A group of organisms that can naturally breed together to produce fertile offspring.
Species may…
Show great variation or have more in common with each other than they do with other organisms of a different species.
Why is the binomial name system important?
It is an internationally used and recognised naming system for all biologists all over the world. This stops the language barrier and makes everything so much less confusing when comparing or sharing research.
Explain why it is hard to classify organisms into one specific or any species?
Hybrids - they are infertile and so therefore can’t breed at all and do not fit the description of a species.
Asexual reproducers - they will not breed ‘together’ and so therefore can not be classed as a species.
Fickle evolution - evolution is a continuous process and organisms change and adapt, some may even become a whole new species.
Talk about closely related species.
They may share a recent common ancestor however they may be quite different depending on what habitat they have become adapted to.
