Classifications/Taxonomy - Foundation Body Systems and Biology

Week 1

Define Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the classification of organisms into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. It encompasses naming, describing, and organizing living things into a systematic framework.

Define a Living Organisms

A life form that has one or more cell and carries out basics metabolic processes.

Define Taxa/Taxon

The ranking levels or groups used within a biological taxonomy system.

Morphological Species Concept

A method of classifying organisms based on shared physical traits and anatomical characteristics (Body shape, Size, Colour).

Phylogenetic Species Concept

A method of classifying organisms based on genetic similarities and evolutionary history.

Define Linnaean Taxonomy?

A system for classifying organisms into hierarchal ranks.

How is an individual species named?

By its Genus and species name.

What can organism name often relate too?

Characteristics of the organisms.

What is a Panthera leo?

Lion

What is a Equus caballus?

Horse

What is a Ursus maritimus?

Polar bear

Whats a Bos taurus?

Domestic cow

Whats a Diceros bicornis?

Black rhino

Whats a Balaenoptera musculus?

Blue whale

Whats binomial naming?

Naming an organism by its genus and species.

How is the Genus written?

Capitalised or italics

How is the species name written?

Lower cased or italics.

What does the Genus represent?

Closely related species sharing many characteristics.

Define a species

Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Define subspecies

A distinct population with unique traits, often geographically influenced.

Define trinomial naming

Naming using three parts, Genus, species and subspecies

What are taxonomic ranks used for?

Classifying organism into categories based on similarity.

What is the highest Taxonomic rank?

Domain

What are the three domains?

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryota

What are Key Features of Eukaryota?

One or more cells, membrane bound organelles and 80 ribosomes.

What type of organelles do Eukaryota have?

Membrane- bound organelles

What type of Ribosome do Eukaryota have?

80S ribosomes

What kingdoms are with Eukaryota?

Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia

What characterises organisms in a Animalia?

Multicellular eukaryotes that obtain nutrients by eating other organism.

What are phyla based on?

Body plans

Define four features for chordates

Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal
slits and post-anal tail

Define a vertebrate

A skeletal backbone and cranium enclosing the spine and brain.

What do invertebrates lack?

A skeletal backbone and cranium

What are the 7 Vertebrate classes?

3 fish divisions and the
tetrapod’s, Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia and Amphibia

Which four vertebrate classes are tetrapods?

Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia and Amphibia

How does a Mammalian reproduces? (Vertebrate class)

Viviparous -Live births and feed young milk

How does a Aves reproduces? (Vertebrate class)

Oviparous -Lay hard eggs on land

How does a Fish reproduces? (Vertebrate class)

Oviparous or Ovoviviparous - Lay eggs or ‘live birth’ in water

How does a Reptillia reproduces? (Vertebrate class)

Oviparous or Ovoviviparous -Lay leathery eggs on land or ‘live birth

How does a Amphibia reproduces? (Vertebrate class)

Oviparous - Lay jelly- like eggs in water

Name 3 Sub - Divisions

Monotremes, Marsupials, Placentals

What are Monotremes

Oviparous mammals

What are Marsupials?

Pouch development at ‘embryonic’ stage

What are Placentals?

Uterine development with placental nourishment.

What’s Order in Taxonomic rank?

A large group of related families that share common traits and ancestry. For example, the order Carnivora includes dogs, cats, and bears

What’s Families in Taxonomic rank?

A group of related genera (plural of genus). For example, the family Felidae includes all cats, like lions and tigers.

What’s the Genus is Taxonomic rank?

A group of closely related species. The genus name is the first part of an organism's scientific name. For example, Panthera includes lions and tigers

What’s Species in Taxonomic rank?

The most specific and basic unit of classification, made of individual organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring. It is the second part of the scientific name, such as leo in Panthera leo (lion

Give some example of Characteristics of living organisms

• Movement
  • Respiration
  • Sensitivity
  • Control
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Excretion
  • Nutrition

Provide examples of Biological concepts for living organism

Cellular organisation
• Inheritance
• Homeostasis
• Energy processing (metabolism)
• Adaptation and evolution

Define Anatomy

Structural organisation of living beings

Define a Cell

Basic structural, functional and biological unit of all living organisms
e.g. red blood cell, nerve cells, muscle cells

Define a Tissue

A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function e.g. muscle tissue – cardiac muscle

Define Organ

Structure composed of at least two different tissue types to perform a specific function e.g. heart

Define Organ system

a group of organs that work together to
perform one or more functions e.g. cardiovascular system

Define Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems
maintain a stable internal environment despite external
changes

Provide examples of what Homeostasis controls

• Body Temperature
• Blood pH
• Blood Glucose Levels
• Fluid Balance
• Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Levels
• Blood Pressure
• Heart Rate

What’s Negative feedback?

Negative feedback is a mechanism that the body uses to maintain homeostasis.

The most common mechanism, where a change in a physiological variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change

An attempt to return to pre-stimulus state

What’s Positive Feedback?

A less common mechanism where a change in a physiological variable triggers an amplification in a response

Does not return to pre-stimulus state, another event is needed to trigger homeostasis

(Childbirth (Mammals): During labor, the baby's head presses against the cervix. This stretching stimulates the brain to release oxytocin, a hormone that causes uterine contractions. These contractions push the baby harder against the cervix, triggering more oxytocin and even stronger contractions until the baby is born)