Unit 8: Classification Test

Define Taxonomy

The science of describing, naming, and classifying organisms.

Define Taxon

Any particular group within a taxonomic system (groupings that the specific system uses).

Why do we use taxonomy in biology?

Compare and contrast Aristotle's system of classification with that of Linnaeus.

Aristotle's system:

Two taxa- plant or animal

Animals were broken down based on where they live and plants were broken down based on the lengths of their stems.

The Linnaean System: Carolus Linnaeus- father of modern classification

His system grouped organisms into hierarchal categories.

What are the different things modern taxonomists use to classify organisms?

-Structures (homologous structures)

-Function

-Behavior

-Physiology

-DNA and RNA

-Embryonic Development

List the levels of Classification developed by Linnaeus, from the broadest category to the most specific. K-->S

Domain

Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Explain how we name a species and what this process is called. Give or use an example in your answer.

The process is called binomial nomenclature. Scientific names are made of two parts. Written as Genus species all in italics.

Why are scientific names important in scientific work? Why are common names less effective?

Scientific names are important in scientific work because organisms are known by experts as one name and not others. They are more specific and easier to identify an organisms because there can be many common names for an organism.

What is cladistics and what is it used for? How do we show these relationships?

A system of classification that uses only shared and derived characteristics to determine grouping of organisms into different taxa.

What is a shared character?

A feature that all members of a group have in common (hair on mammals).

What is a derived character?

A feature that evolved only within the group that is being looked at (feathers are a derived characteristic of birds).

What is a cladogram?

A branching diagram showing the ancestral relationship between a number of species using physical characteristics.

What are the three domains?

Domains of Life:

1. Bacteria

2. Archaea

3. Eukarya

Domain Bacteria

Kingdoms included: Eubacteria

Single celled, prokaryotic, lack membrane bound organelles, no nucleus, cell wall made of peptidoglycan, one circular chromosome, reproduce by binary fission.

Domain Archaea

Kingdoms included: Archaebacteria

Prokaryotic, small, single celled prokaryotes, live in harsh environments, salt vents, thermophiles and halophiles, no peptidoglycan, reproduce by binary fission

Domain Eukarya

Kingdoms included: Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Anamalia

Eukaryotic cells, single and multicellular (diverse)

Why do protists, fungi, plants, and animals share a domain in the six- kingdom system?

Because they are eukaryotic, which means they have a nucleus and membrane bound organelles.

What are the six kingdoms recognized today? What do plants and fungi have in common with animals? How are they different?

Phylogenetic Tree

Using evolutionary relationships to identify and group organisms

Dichotomous Keys

Tool that helps people identify an item using a series of questions that will eventually lead the user to the correct organism