taxonomy, systematics Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
Taxonomy is the science of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics.
True or False: Taxonomy involves categorizing organisms based on their genetic makeup.
True
What is systematics?
Systematics is the study of the evolutionary relationships between different organisms.
Fill in the blank: Systematics aims to understand the ________ history of organisms.
evolutionary
What is a taxon?
A taxon is a group of organisms at any level of classification.
True or False: Species is the most specific taxonomic rank.
True
What is binomial nomenclature?
Binomial nomenclature is the system of naming species with a two-part Latin name composed of the genus and species names.
Which scientist is known as the ‘father of modern taxonomy’?
Carl Linnaeus
Fill in the blank: The hierarchical classification system in taxonomy goes from ________ to ________.
domain, species
What is a cladogram?
A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.
True or False: Cladistics is a method in systematics that classifies organisms based on their evolutionary history.
True
What is a phylogenetic tree?
A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.
True or False: Phylogenetics studies the evolutionary history of genes and the relationships between different species.
True
Fill in the blank: The process of identifying, naming, and classifying new species is known as ________.
describing
What is a type specimen?
A type specimen is a physical example of an organism that serves as the reference point for its species.
True or False: Taxonomy and systematics are static fields that do not change over time.
False
What is a molecular clock?
A molecular clock is a method used in molecular systematics to estimate the timing of evolutionary events based on genetic differences.
Fill in the blank: The study of the evolutionary history of a species or group of species is known as ________.
phylogeny
What is a monophyletic group?
A monophyletic group is a taxonomic group that includes an ancestor and all of its descendants.
True or False: A paraphyletic group includes an ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.
True
What is a homologous structure?
A homologous structure is a structure that is similar in different species because of common ancestry.
Fill in the blank: Analogous structures are similar in function but ________ in structure.
different
What is convergent evolution?
Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in different lineages.
True or False: Convergent evolution can result in analogous structures.
True
