Taxonomy and Systematics

Question 1

Define taxonomy and systematics

Answer 1

The description of species and the group of organisms to reflect evolutionary relationships.

The study of the classification and phylogeny of organisms.

Question 2

Recognize the contributions of 
Karl von Linnè (Carolus Linnaeus)

Answer 2

Created the binominal system (naming system genus species).

Question 3

Describe the binomial system of nomenclature: Genus species (Homo sapiens)

Answer 3

A system for naming in which each kind of organism (a species) has a two-part name: the genus and the species epithet.

Question 4

Recognize the correct usage scientific names.

Answer 4

The genus of an animal begins with a capital letter, the species epithet begins with a lowercase letter, and the entire scientific name is italicized or underlined because it is derived from Latin or is latinized. Thus, the scientific name of humans is written Homo sapiens. When the genus is understood, the binominal name can be abbreviated H. sapiens.

Question 5

Define terms relevant to cladistics systematics including synapomorphy, monophyly, paraphyly, polyphyly, cladogram

Answer 5

Synapomorphy: is a shared, derived character, common between an ancestor and its descendants.
Monophyly (Monophyletic group): A group of organisms descended from a single ancestor.
Paraphyly (Paraphyletic group): A group that includes some, but not all, members of a lineage. Paraphyletic groups result from insufficient knowledge of the group.

Cladogram: Diagram depicting the evolutionary history of taxa. Derived from phylogenetic systematics (cladistics).

Question 6

List the major taxonomic categories (from broad to specific): 
domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species


Answer 6

domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Question 7

Describe the significance of genomic studies and DNA sequence analysis to phylogenetic reconstruction

Answer 7

DNA sequencing, rather than using physical or behavioral features of organisms to build trees, we can instead compare the sequences of their orthologous (evolutionarily related) genes or proteins. 


Question 8

Recognize why the classification of animals into traditional groups such as anthropoid primates (excluding humans) into the family Pongidae violates the principles of cladistic taxonomy

Answer 8

Because anthropoid primates are more “human-like”, whereas pongidae are more ape-like than human.