Biodiversity and Classification – Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover essential definitions, historical milestones, kingdom characteristics, and taxonomic principles related to biodiversity and classification.

What is meant by biodiversity?

The variety of living organisms on Earth.

What does species diversity measure?

The number of different species in a given area.

Define genetic diversity.

The range of genetic differences within a species.

What is ecological biodiversity?

The number of ecosystems present in a given environment.

Why is genetic diversity important for a species’ survival?

It enables populations to adapt to changing environments, increasing chances of survival.

What is a keystone species?

An organism that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.

How is an alien species defined?

A species not naturally occurring in an area but introduced from elsewhere.

What is an indigenous species?

A species that occurs naturally in a particular area.

What does endemic mean in biology?

A species found in one specific geographic area and nowhere else.

What is classification in biology?

Grouping organisms based on shared characteristics.

Define taxonomy.

The science of classifying organisms according to similarities and differences.

What is biological nomenclature?

The system of naming organisms.

Explain systematics.

The study of the diversification of living forms and their relationships, placing organisms into groups.

What is the binomial system?

A two-part Latin naming system for species (genus + species).

Purpose of a dichotomous key?

A step-by-step tool used to identify organisms based on pairs of contrasting statements.

Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus; eukaryotes possess one.

Which two kingdoms did Aristotle recognize?

Animalia and Plantae.

Who introduced binomial nomenclature?

Carolus Linnaeus in 1758.

Name the five kingdoms proposed by Robert Whittaker.

Monera, Protista, Fungi (Mycota), Plantae, Animalia.

Who proposed the three-domain system and what are the domains?

Carl Woese (1990); Eubacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Key traits of Kingdom Monera.

Prokaryotic, unicellular organisms such as bacteria without a true nucleus.

Key traits of Kingdom Protista.

Diverse group; uni- or multicellular; photosynthetic or heterotrophic.

Key traits of Kingdom Fungi.

Uni- or multicellular; body of fine threads; saprophytic nutrition.

Key traits of Kingdom Plantae.

Multicellular, terrestrial, cell walls, autotrophic.

Key traits of Kingdom Animalia.

Multicellular, no cell walls, heterotrophic; aquatic and terrestrial species.

Place the primary taxonomic ranks in order from most specific to most general.

Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Domain.

Which taxonomic rank contains organisms that can interbreed successfully?

Species.

In the hierarchical system, which rank is broader: order or family?

Order is broader; it contains multiple families.

If two organisms are in the same family, what other ranks must they share?

Order, class, phylum, kingdom, and domain.

Give the full taxonomic classification (domain to species) for Panthera pardus (leopard).

Domain Eukarya; Kingdom Animalia; Phylum Chordata; Class Mammalia; Order Carnivora; Family Felidae; Genus Panthera; Species Panthera pardus.

Which class in the sample table does NOT include animals with hair or fur?

Class Amphibia (e.g., green frog).

What is the order, family, and genus of humans?

Order Primates; Family Hominidae; Genus Homo.

Which two organisms in the sample table are most closely related?

Mountain lion (Felis concolor) and domestic dog (Canis familiaris) are less related than two within same genus; however none share a genus, so green frog vs others – the two most closely related are mountain lion and domestic dog (same order Carnivora).

Why are deserts, despite low species counts, still considered important ecosystems?

They contribute to ecological biodiversity and provide unique habitats and ecological services.

How does a dichotomous key improve organism identification accuracy?

By guiding users through sequential, contrasting statements that progressively narrow possibilities.