Topic 6 - Classification

Question 1

What is the traditional Carl Linnaeus’ classification system? (1700s)

Answer 1

Living things are first divided into kingdoms. These are then sub-divided into smaller and smaller groups - phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Question 2

How was Carl Woese’s three domain system of classificatiin laid out? (1990)

Answer 2

Organisms are first split into three larger groups called domains:

• Archaea - primitive bacteria
• Bacteria - true bacteria (biochemical differences to primitive)
• Eukaryota - fungi, plants, animals, protists

These are then subdivided into smaller groups:
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Question 3

What is the current naming system for organisms?

Answer 3

The binomial system

Question 4

How does the binomial system work?

Answer 4

1) Every organism is given a two - part latin name
2) The first part refers to the genus that the organism,belongs to
3) The second part part refers to the species

Question 5

What does the first part of the two-part latin name in the binomial system tell you?

Answer 5

It gives you info about the organism’s ancestry

Question 6

The binomial system is used ___ so scientists who __ can all understand it

Answer 6

Worldwide, speak different languages

Question 7

What do evolutionary trees show?

Answer 7

Evolutionary trees show how different species are related to each other; common ancestors and and relationships between them

Question 8

What data do scientists use to make up evolutionary trees?c

Answer 8

For living organisms they use current classification data (e.g. DNA analysis)
For extinct organisms they use fossil records