species and taxonomy

Question 1

what is a species?

Answer 1

a group of organisms that can produce fertile offspring

Question 2

suggest why 2 different species are unable to produce fertile offspring

Answer 2

-different species have different chromosome numbers so offspring may have odd chromosome number and so homologous pairs cannot be formed therefore meiosis cannot occur to produce gametes

Question 3

why is courtship behaviour a necessary precursor to successful mating?

Answer 3

-allows recognition of same species members so leading to fertile offspring being produced
-allows for attraction of opposite sex
-to establish a pair bond to raise young

Question 4

describe a phylogenetic classification system

Answer 4

species are arranged into groups called a taxa based on their evolutionary origins and relationships using a hierarchy (smaller groups are placed within larger groups, no overlapping between groups)

Question 5

Name the order of the hierarchy of classification

Answer 5

Domain
Kingdom
phylum
class
order
family
genus
species

Question 6

how is each species universally identified?

Answer 6

a binomial consisting of the name of its genus and species

Question 7

suggest an advantage of binomial naming

Answer 7

it is universal so there is no confusion as many organisms have more than one common name

Question 8

describe 2 advantages that have helped to clarify evolutionionary relationships between organisms

Answer 8

1, advances in genome sequencing which allows comparison of DNA base sequences, can see how mutations build up over time
2, advances in immunology which allows comparison of protein tertiary structure

Question 9

describe 2 advantages that have helped to clarify evolutionionary relationships between organisms

Answer 9

1, advances in genome sequencing which allows comparison of DNA base sequences, can see how mutations build up over time
2, advances in immunology which allows comparison of protein tertiary structure

Question 10

Why is classification important?

Answer 10

Allows us to identify the similarities and differences between organisms, and the evolutionary history of an organism
-gives an universal name for easy study

Question 11

what is the binomial system?

Answer 11

A unique universal name in Latin; Homo sapiens

Question 12

What is natural classification?

Answer 12

-organisms are grouped together based on homologous structures
-shared evolutionary origin

Question 13

What is artificial classification?

Answer 13

-should not be based on analogous structures
-similar functions but do not have a common origin (wings on birds and bats)

Question 14

what is taxonomy?

Answer 14

The study of groups within a natural classification

Question 15

What is taxonomic ranking?

Answer 15

-Hierarchical, so large groups are subdivided into smaller groups
-Allows larger groups to be differentiated from larger groups
-no over lapping

Question 16

What does a phylogenetic classification system show?

Answer 16

The evolutionary links between each taxonomic group with respect to time (phylogenetic tree)

Question 17

What is the classification order?

Answer 17

Domain-Kingdom-Phylum-Class-Order-Family-Genus-Species

Question 18

What is courtship behaviour?

Answer 18

Is a pattern of behaviour used to attract a mate

Question 19

Define species recognition.

Answer 19

Only members of the same species mate, resulting in fertile offspring

Question 20

Define pair bond formation.

Answer 20

For successful mating, male and female of the same species recognise each other as individuals and act in a coordinated way.
-assist in the raising of offspring

Question 21

What is synchronisation of breeding behaviour?

Answer 21

-females only ovulate at certain times, signals indicate that she is entering oestrus and often males will signal specific behaviour to entice the females to mate, and then the female will signal that she is receptive- successful recognition increases chances of fertilisation.

Question 22

What are the types of courtship behaviour?

Answer 22

.Territorial behaviour- the male defends a territory which contains fertaile females
.Construction of nests
.Courtship dances
.Vocalisation
.Pheromones

Question 23

What are the three plant genomes for plant classification?

Answer 23

-mitochondrial
-nuclear
-choroplast

Question 24

How do we make immunological comparisons?

Answer 24

Albumins and antibodies are both proteins
-antibodies of one species will react when exposed to blood serum, containing the proteins, of another
- a range of antibodies will be created that respond to the antigenic binding sites on the albumin
-albumin from one of the species being investigated is injected into another outroup species
-antibodies respond against albumin are collected
-then exposed to the blood proteins of each of the other species

species more closely related to the outgroup will exhibit a weaker reaction