Taxonomy/Classification & Features of Organisms

Question 1

Define the term ‘binomial system’

Answer 1

Binomial means 2 names. This is a system when organisms are given scientific names.

Question 2

What is the largest grouping used for organisms?

Answer 2

Kingdom

Question 3

What is the smallest grouping used for organisms?

Answer 3

Species

Question 4

Define species.

Answer 4

A group of organisms that look alike, live in the same habitat & can breed together with offspring that are fertile.

Question 5

Explain genus

Answer 5

This is a group of species. They are closely related but do not interbreed

Question 6

Define morphology.

Answer 6

The study of the outward appearance of organisms.

Question 7

Define taxonomy/classification.

Answer 7

The naming & sorting of organisms into groups based on the organism’s morphology & anatomy.

Question 8

Name the 5 kingdoms that organisms are grouped into & give an example of each.

Answer 8

Animalia (cat)
Plantae (fern)
Fungi (bread mould)
Protista (algae)
Prokaryotes (bacteria)

Question 9

List the order of classification or taxonomy from largest to smallest groups.

Answer 9

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

Question 10

The cells of all living organisms are made up of …

Answer 10

cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA & ribosomes

Question 11

Describe the cell structure of bacteria.

Answer 11

• simple cell structure with no nucleus
• has a loop/s of DNA called plasmid/s
• no chloroplasts or mitochondria
• known as prokaryotic cells
• spherical or rod shaped
• surrounded by cell wall or slime capsule
• some have tail-like extensions called flagella to move through fluids

Question 12

How is taxonomy important to evolution?

Answer 12

Scientists look at similarities in anatomy between organisms because this may mean they evolved along the same lines. They also look at the sequences of bases in the DNA as this is a more accurate means of classification. The more similarities found, the more closely related they are likely to be.

Question 13

Describe the cell structure of fungi.

Answer 13

• has a nucleus & cell wall

- cell wall made of chitin

Question 14

How do fungi reproduce?

Answer 14

They release spores that are carried by wind.

Question 15

What are saprotrophs?

Answer 15

Organisms that feed on dead decaying matter. e.g. fungi

Question 16

Define anatomy.

Answer 16

The study of the internal structure of an organism.

Question 17

Define cladistics.

Answer 17

A biological classification where organisms are grouped together based on shared characteristics that can be traced back to that groups’ last common ancestor, but which are not present more distant ancestors.

Question 18

Name the main body of fungi.

Answer 18

Mycelium

Question 19

What are hyphae & what does it do?

Answer 19

It is the network of filaments that make up the mycelium. It grows over its food source & releases enzymes to digest the food. This digestion occurs outside the fungus & the digested food is then absorbed by the hyphae.

Question 20

List 3 differences in features between plants and animals.

Answer 20

1. Plants have a cellulose cell wall. Animals have no cell wall.
2. Plant cells contain chloroplast while animal cells do not.
3. Plants produce their own food through photosynthesis. Animals need to ingest food & cannot produce their own.

Question 21

Describe 3 features of protoctists (Protista kingdom).

Answer 21

• cells contain nuclei
• can be unicellular or multicellular so size can vary from unicellular organism to giant seaweed
• some can carry out photosynthesis

Question 22

Which kingdom is bacteria classified into?

Answer 22

Prokaryotes

Question 23

Which kingdom are seaweed classified into?

Answer 23

Protista

Question 24

Which kingdom are birds classified into?

Answer 24

Animalia

Question 25

Which kingdom are oak trees classified into?

Answer 25

Plantae

Question 26

Which kingdom are mushrooms classifies into?

Answer 26

Fungi

Question 27

Which kingdom are viruses classified into? Explain

Answer 27

None. The organisms that are grouped into the 5 kingdoms all have cells & since viruses do not have cells the are classified differently.

Question 28

Describe features of viruses.

Answer 28

• can only be seen under an electron microscope.
• no cells
• they are particles of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat.
• are parasites that enter the host then take over the host cell directing it to multiply the virus.