Taxonomy/Classification & Features of Organisms Flashcards
Understand & define binomial system & explain the importance of classification to evolution. State features of cells & list the features used to classify organisms into one of the 5 kingdoms.
Define the term ‘binomial system’
Binomial means 2 names. This is a system when organisms are given scientific names.
What is the largest grouping used for organisms?
Kingdom
What is the smallest grouping used for organisms?
Species
Define species.
A group of organisms that look alike, live in the same habitat & can breed together with offspring that are fertile.
Explain genus
This is a group of species. They are closely related but do not interbreed
Define morphology.
The study of the outward appearance of organisms.
Define taxonomy/classification.
The naming & sorting of organisms into groups based on the organism’s morphology & anatomy.
Name the 5 kingdoms that organisms are grouped into & give an example of each.
Animalia (cat) Plantae (fern) Fungi (bread mould) Protista (algae) Prokaryotes (bacteria)
List the order of classification or taxonomy from largest to smallest groups.
domain - kingdom - phylum - class - order - family - genus - species
The cells of all living organisms are made up of …
cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA & ribosomes
Describe the cell structure of bacteria.
- 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
How is taxonomy important to evolution?
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.
Describe the cell structure of fungi.
- has a nucleus & cell wall
- cell wall made of chitin
How do fungi reproduce?
They release spores that are carried by wind.
What are saprotrophs?
Organisms that feed on dead decaying matter. e.g. fungi
Define anatomy.
The study of the internal structure of an organism.
Define cladistics.
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.
Name the main body of fungi.
Mycelium
What are hyphae & what does it do?
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.
List 3 differences in features between plants and animals.
- Plants have a cellulose cell wall. Animals have no cell wall.
- Plant cells contain chloroplast while animal cells do not.
- Plants produce their own food through photosynthesis. Animals need to ingest food & cannot produce their own.
Describe 3 features of protoctists (Protista kingdom).
- cells contain nuclei
- can be unicellular or multicellular so size can vary from unicellular organism to giant seaweed
- some can carry out photosynthesis
Which kingdom is bacteria classified into?
Prokaryotes
Which kingdom are seaweed classified into?
Protista
Which kingdom are birds classified into?
Animalia
Which kingdom are oak trees classified into?
Plantae
Which kingdom are mushrooms classifies into?
Fungi
Which kingdom are viruses classified into? Explain
None. The organisms that are grouped into the 5 kingdoms all have cells & since viruses do not have cells the are classified differently.
Describe features of viruses.
- 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.
