Topic 7 - Classification and Biodiversity Flashcards
What is classification?
Classification is the grouping of organisms by comparing their similarities and differences.
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can reproduce to have viable offspring.
What is the Linnaean system?
KPCOFGS
How has technology affected classification?
Led to new, more accurate classification systems, based on sequencing the DNA (genetic material) and proteins of organisms.
What is the Linnaean system based on?
Morphology and anatomy
Which 2 groups can animals be divided into?
Vertebrates and invertebrates
What is a vertebrate?
Any animal with a backbone.
What is an invertebrate?
Any animal without a backbone.
What are the 5 classes of vertebrates?
Birds Reptiles Amphibians Mammals Fish
What defines a “bird”?
Birds have feathers, two wings, two scaly legs, lay hard-shelled eggs on land and have lightweight bones.
What defines a “reptile”?
Reptiles lay waterproof eggs on land, have dry, scaly skin. and, excluding snakes, have four limbs.
What defines an “amphibian”?
Amphibians lay eggs covered in jelly, in water, have moist scaleless skin, webbed feet, and perform gas exchange through their lungs and skin.
What defines a “mammal”?
Mammals have mammary (milk) glands, sweat glands, four limbs, hair or fur and give birth to live young.
What defines a “fish”?
Fish have scales, fins, a lateral line and gills for gas exchange in water.
What are the two types of plants?
Ferns and flowering plants
What defines a “fern”?
Ferns don’t have flowers or seeds and reproduce asexually using spores.
What defines a “flowering plant”?
Flowering plants can reproduce asexually or sexually and may produce seeds in their ovaries.
What is an adaptation?
Any trait helping organisms survive better in the environment in which they live.
What are the types of adaptation?
Morphological and behavioural
What is a morphological adaptation?
Changes to physical features, like structure or shape, affecting how an organism looks.