Section 7 - Classification

Question 1

What does classification mean?

Answer 1

Sorting organisms into groups

Question 2

What is the point of classification?

Answer 2

It makes it easier for scientists to study organisms without getting confused, because every type of organism has a different name

Question 3

What are classification hierarchies?

Answer 3

Classification hierarchies contain groups that are split into smaller groups which become more specific. As you move down the hierarchy you get more groups at each level but fewer organisms in each group.

Question 4

What is the meaning of a ‘species’?

Answer 4

A species is a group of organisms that look similar and can reproduce to give fertile offspring (their children can also reproduce).

Question 5

What did older classification systems group organisms based on?

Answer 5

Only how they looked

Question 6

What do newer classification systems group organisms based on? (3)

Answer 6

• DNA - how similar and different the base sequence is (e.g. ATTTAC vs ATTTAT)
• Other molecules - e.g. proteins and enzymes
• Early development - how they grow from an embryo to a baby