taxonomy, systematics

Question 1

What is taxonomy?

Answer 1

Taxonomy is the science of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics.

Question 2

True or False: Taxonomy involves categorizing organisms based on their genetic makeup.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is systematics?

Answer 3

Systematics is the study of the evolutionary relationships between different organisms.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Systematics aims to understand the ________ history of organisms.

Answer 4

evolutionary

Question 5

What is a taxon?

Answer 5

A taxon is a group of organisms at any level of classification.

Question 6

True or False: Species is the most specific taxonomic rank.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What is binomial nomenclature?

Answer 7

Binomial nomenclature is the system of naming species with a two-part Latin name composed of the genus and species names.

Question 8

Which scientist is known as the ‘father of modern taxonomy’?

Answer 8

Carl Linnaeus

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The hierarchical classification system in taxonomy goes from ________ to ________.

Answer 9

domain, species

Question 10

What is a cladogram?

Answer 10

A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.

Question 11

True or False: Cladistics is a method in systematics that classifies organisms based on their evolutionary history.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What is a phylogenetic tree?

Answer 12

A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.

Question 13

True or False: Phylogenetics studies the evolutionary history of genes and the relationships between different species.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The process of identifying, naming, and classifying new species is known as ________.

Answer 14

describing

Question 15

What is a type specimen?

Answer 15

A type specimen is a physical example of an organism that serves as the reference point for its species.

Question 16

True or False: Taxonomy and systematics are static fields that do not change over time.

Answer 16

False

Question 17

What is a molecular clock?

Answer 17

A molecular clock is a method used in molecular systematics to estimate the timing of evolutionary events based on genetic differences.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The study of the evolutionary history of a species or group of species is known as ________.

Answer 18

phylogeny

Question 19

What is a monophyletic group?

Answer 19

A monophyletic group is a taxonomic group that includes an ancestor and all of its descendants.

Question 20

True or False: A paraphyletic group includes an ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is a homologous structure?

Answer 21

A homologous structure is a structure that is similar in different species because of common ancestry.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Analogous structures are similar in function but ________ in structure.

Answer 22

different

Question 23

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 23

Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in different lineages.

Question 24

True or False: Convergent evolution can result in analogous structures.

Answer 24

True