section 3: classification & evolution - topic 1: classification basics Flashcards
what is classification?
the act of arranging organisms into groups based on their similarities and differences
^ this makes it easier for scientists to identify and study them
what is taxonomy?
the study of classification
what are the 8 taxonomic groups?
- domain
- kingdom
- phylum
- class
- order
- family
- genus
- species
what is the naming system used for classification?
the binomial system
what is the organisation of a species’ name?
first part = genus & has a capital letter
second part = species & has a lower case letter
^ always written in italics OR underlined if handwritten
what are the 5 kingdoms?
- prokaryotae
- protoctista
- fungi
- plantae
- animalia
what is an example of prokaryotae?
bacteria
what are the features of prokaryotae?
- prokaryotic
- unicellular
- no nucleus
- less than 5 micrometers (ym)
what are examples of proctoctista?
algae
protozoa
what are the features of protoctista?
- eukaryotic
- usually live in water
- single-celled OR simple multicellular organisms
what are examples of fungi?
moulds
yeasts
mushrooms
what are the features of fungi?
- eukaryotic
- chitin cell wall
- sapotrphic (absorb substances from dead/decaying organisms)
- single-celled or multicellular
what are examples of plantae?
mosses
ferns
flowering plants
what are the features of plantae?
- eukaryotic
- multicellular
- cellulose cell walls
- can photosynthesise
- contain chlorophyll
- autotrophic (produce their own food)
what are examples of animalia?
nematodes (roundworms)
molluscs
insects
fish
reptiles
birds
mammals
what are the features of animalia?
- eukaryotic
- multicellular
- no cell walls
- heterotrophic (consume plants and animals)
what is evolution?
the gradual change in organisms over time
what is phylogeny?
the study of the evolutionary history of groups of organisms
what do phylogenetic trees show?
how closely related different species are
^ closely related species diverge away from each other most recently
