Naming and Classifying Species Flashcards
List the 3 ways we can define species
Morphologically
Biologically
Phylogenetically
What is the morphological species concept?
Classifying organisms based on similar physical characteristics
Mainly used for asexual organisms and fossils
What is the biological species concept?
Classifying organisms based on ability to sexually reproduce with other organisms freely in the wild
Useful when male and female have different morphology (ex: peacocks)
What is the phylogenetic species concept?
Classifying organisms based on evolutionary similarities (ex: kangaroos and koalas both have pouches)
Done by comparing DNA to see which organisms have the most similar
Useful when hard to classify other ways (ex: fossils)
Define a homologous structure
Common ancestry identified when body parts of organisms have the same anatomical features (ex: arm of humans, cats, whales, and bats)
Define taxonomy
Way of classifying organisms by getting more and more specific with each category
What is taxonomy originally based on, who creates it
Morphology, Linnaeus develops it
How is taxonomy groups (taxa) defined
Based on groups having similar attributes/characteristics to other species
Who is Linnaeus
Swedish botanist from 1700s who seeked to identify/classify organisms; develops system with taxas (groups with similar features) classified through specificity (ranks)
What is the order of taxonomy?
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
How are species named?
Binomial nomenclature (Genus species)
Ex: Homo sapien, Lupes canes
Capitalize genus, not species
What is a phylogenetic tree?
Way to draw out show evolutionary relationship between species
How are phylogenetic trees drawn out?
Common ancestor at base, branches out in order of evolution
