Taxonomy Flashcards
What is the science of biological classification called?
Taxonomy
Taxonomy involves arranging living things into groups based on common characteristics.
Who introduced the system of naming organisms?
Carolus Linnaeus
Linnaeus was a Swedish naturalist known for developing the binomial nomenclature system.
List three reasons for the classification of living things.
- To put every living organism into a systematic order
- For easy identification of similar living things
- To indicate the relationship between different categories of living organisms
What are the traditional tools for classification of living things?
- Morphology
- Anatomy
What are the modern tools for classification of living things?
- Sequence of amino acids in protein
- Sequence of bases in DNA
What is the highest taxonomic group that includes closely related phyla?
Kingdom
What is a phylum in biological classification?
A group of closely related classes.
What is the smallest unit of classification?
Species
Species are groups of organisms that can interbreed freely to produce fertile offspring.
What does binomial nomenclature consist of?
Two parts: genus name (capitalized) and species name (lowercase).
True or False: In binomial nomenclature, both names are italicized when printed.
True
Name the five kingdoms in the five-kingdom classification.
- Kingdom Monera
- Kingdom Protista
- Kingdom Fungi
- Kingdom Plantae
- Kingdom Animalia
What type of cells do prokaryotes have?
Cells without organized nuclei.
What is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
They have a true nucleus with a nuclear envelope.
What is the mode of nutrition for autotrophic organisms?
They produce their own food.
What is an example of a virus?
Poxvirus
Viruses are not classified in the five kingdoms due to their unique characteristics.
What is the general characteristic of organisms in Kingdom Monera?
They are unicellular prokaryotes.
What do bacteria lack?
A true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
How do bacteria reproduce?
By binary fission.
What is the main feature of Kingdom Protista?
Eukaryotic unicellular organisms.
What are the two main phyla in Kingdom Protista?
- Protophyta
- Protozoa
What is a unique feature of Euglena?
It has both plant-like and animal-like characteristics.
What is a characteristic of fungi?
They are eukaryotic and can be saprophytic or parasitic.
What is the cell wall of fungi made of?
Chitin
What is the economic importance of fungi?
- Decomposers
- Antibiotics production
- Used in fermentation processes
What defines vascular plants?
Plants with specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients.
What are non-vascular plants lacking?
Specialized tissues for conducting water and nutrients.
What are examples of non-vascular plants?
- Thallophyta (e.g., algae)
- Bryophyta (e.g., mosses)
What is a defining feature of Pteridophytes?
They produce spores instead of seeds.
What type of organisms are classified under Kingdom Fungi?
Eukaryotic organisms that are saprophytic or parasitic.
What are examples of pteridophytes?
Ferns, such as Dryopteris, Felimas, and water fern
Other examples include clubmosses like Lycopodium and Selaginella, and horsetails such as Psilotum.
What are the key characteristics of pteridophytes?
- Horizontal stems called rhizomes
- Clear alternation of generation with a dominant sporophyte
- Produce spores instead of seeds
- True roots, stems, and leaves
- Multicellular and vascular green plants
What is the life cycle of ferns characterized by?
A clear alternation of generations with a dominant sporophyte
What term describes the horizontal stems of ferns?
Rhizomes
What are fronds in relation to ferns?
The leaves of ferns
What distinguishes spermatophytes from other plants?
They are seed-producing plants with well-developed roots, stems, and leaves
What are the two main groups of spermatophytes?
- Gymnosperms
- Angiosperms
What are general characteristics of gymnosperms?
- Mostly evergreen trees and shrubs
- Do not bear flowers
- Do not produce fruits
- Naked seeds borne on cones
What are examples of gymnosperms?
Pines, cycads, ginkgos, conifers, and Cnetales
What are the general characteristics of angiosperms?
- Produce flowers
- Fruits develop from ovaries
- Seeds enclosed in fruits
- Reproduce sexually
Angiosperms are divided into which two categories?
- Monocotyledons
- Dicotyledons
Fill in the blank: Monocotyledons have _______ seed leaf.
one
Fill in the blank: Dicotyledons have _______ seed leaves.
two
What type of body symmetry do most animals in the animal kingdom exhibit?
Bilateral symmetry
What are the three germ layers in most animals?
- Ectoderm
- Mesoderm
- Endoderm
What is the classification of animals based on body cavity?
- Acoelomates: no body cavity
- Pseudocoelomates: false body cavity
- Coelomates: true body cavity
What are the two main groups of the animal kingdom?
- Invertebrates
- Vertebrates
What are the characteristics of phylum Porifera?
- Aquatic animals
- Have pores and canals
- Filter food from water
- Mostly hermaphrodites
What is the body structure of coelenterates?
Hollow cavities with two layers of cells (ectoderm and endoderm)
What distinguishes flatworms from other animal groups?
They have narrow, flattened bodies and a single opening digestive system
What are the characteristics of phylum Nematoda?
- Long, slender, round bodies
- Bilaterally symmetrical
- Gut with two openings
What defines phylum Annelida?
Segmented bodies with true body cavities
What is the distinguishing feature of mollusks?
Soft unsegmented bodies usually enclosed in shells
What are the key characteristics of echinoderms?
- Marine animals
- Spiny exoskeletons
- Radially symmetrical
- No head or brain
What is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom?
Phylum Arthropoda
What are the classes within phylum Arthropoda?
- Insecta
- Arachnida
- Crustacea
- Myriapoda
What are the characteristics of vertebrates?
- Backbone or vertebral column
- Brain and spinal cord
- Bilaterally symmetrical
- Triploblastic
What are the classes of sub-phylum Craniata?
- Pisces
- Amphibia
- Reptilia
- Aves
What is a key feature of class Pisces?
- Possession of fins for movement
What type of eggs do reptiles lay?
Leathery-covered eggs
Fill in the blank: Birds are _______ animals.
homoiothermic
What are the characteristics of the class Aves?
Homoiothermic animals, bodies covered by feathers, wings for flight, beaks for feeding, lack teeth, 4-chambered heart for double circulation, rigid and hollow bones with air sacs, lay hard-shelled eggs, sexual reproduction with internal fertilization, show parental care, scales on legs.
Examples include parrots, hawks, pigeons, domestic fowl, ducks, eagles, sparrows, etc.
What is the term for animals that maintain a constant body temperature?
Homoiothermic
What type of eggs do birds lay?
Hard-shelled eggs
In birds, what type of heart do they possess?
4-chambered heart
What is the main function of feathers in birds?
Insulation
True or False: Birds have teeth.
False
What is the significance of the rigid and hollow bones in birds?
They make them light during flight
What type of reproduction do birds exhibit?
Sexual reproduction
What do birds lack in their feeding mechanism?
Teeth
What are the characteristics of the class Mammalia?
Homoiothermic animals, skin covered with hair, heterodont dentition, lungs for gaseous exchange, presence of external ear (Pinna), presence of mammary glands, viviparous, 4-chambered heart for double circulation, sexual reproduction with internal fertilization, diaphragm, well-developed brain, show parental care.
Examples include whales, bats, dolphins, humans, elephants, pigs, goats, etc.
What type of dentition is found in mammals?
Heterodont dentition
What is the role of mammary glands in mammals?
To produce milk
What type of heart do mammals possess?
4-chambered heart
True or False: Mammals are oviparous.
False
Fill in the blank: Mammals have _______ for gaseous exchange.
Lungs
What is the significance of the diaphragm in mammals?
It aids in respiration
What type of care do mammals show for their young?
Parental care
