Topic 4 – Natural Selection and Genetic Modification-Classification

Question 1

What is classification?

Answer 1

the organisation of organisms into groups

Question 2

What is taxonomy?

Answer 2

The classification of organisms into taxa: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Question 3

name 5 kingdoms

Answer 3

animals, plants, fungi, protists, prokaryotes

Question 4

What happens to the number of organisms in each taxon as you move down the hierarchy?

Answer 4

The number of organisms in each taxon group decreases

Question 5

Traditionally, organisms were grouped based on similarities and differences in their anatomy and behaviour. What is the problem with this?

Answer 5

Organisms that are not closely related may look alike and behave similarly if they live in the same environment e.g. sharks and dolphins
● Some closely related species may look very different if they live in different habitats e.g. queen ants, worker ants

Question 6

What advancements in science have led scientists to reconsider the five kingdoms classification system?

Answer 6

● Microscopes
● Biochemistry
● DNA and RNA analysis

Question 7

describe the three domains system of classification



Answer 7

Organisms are initially divided into an extra three groups: Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya
domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Question 8

Which domain do eukaryotic organisms belong to?

Answer 8

Eukarya

Question 9

which domains do prokaryotic organisms belong to?



Answer 9

Archaea and Bacteria

Question 10

Describe the domain Bacteria

Answer 10

Consists of true bacteria e.g. E.coli

Question 11

Describe the domain Archaea

Answer 11

Consists of primitive microorganisms

Contains extremophiles - adapted to live in extreme conditions e.g. hot springs