Topic 4.3 - Genetic Diversity, Adaptation and Taxonomy Flashcards
Define Species
Group of similar organisms able to reproduce to give fertile offspring
Describe how the binomial naming system work
Each species is given a Latin name that has 2 parts
- Genus
- Has capital letter
- Species
- Lower case letter
- Names are written in italics or they’re underlined if handwritten e.g. Homo sapiens
Why is the binomial naming system used?
Avoids confusion of using common names
Name 3 difficulties of defining species
- Species are not fixed forever
- Can change and evolve over time into new species
- Many species are extinct and most left no fossils
- Some species are sterile
What is phylogeny?
Study of evolutionary history of groups of organisms
What is this known as?
Phylogenetic tree
What does each following branch points represent?
Another common ancestor from which a different group diverged
What is taxonomy?
Science of classification
Why is taxonomy used?
Makes it easier to identify and study organisms
How many taxa are there?
8 taxas
How are the taxa arranged?
In a hierarchy: largest groups at top & smallest at bottom
Organisms only belong to __ group at each level in hierarchy - no overlap
1
Name all the taxa (from largest to smallest)
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
(Taxa Mnemonic: Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup)
As you move down hierarchy…
there are more groups but fewer organism in each group & organisms in each group become more closely related
What can be used to help classify species?
Courtship Behaviour
Courtship behaviour is carried out by organism to…
attract a mate of the right species
Describe how courtship behaviour can be used to help classify species
- Courtship behaviour = species specific
- Only members of same species will do/respond to it
- ∵ of this specificity - courtship behaviours can be used to classify organisms