StemUp: AQA A level Biology 3.4.5 Species and taxonomy

What is meant by species? (1)

A group of organisms that are able to reproduce and produce fertile offspring

How would you identify organisms that belong to the same species? (1)

If they are able to produce fertile offspring

What does courtship allow individuals to do? (5)

- Recognise members of their own species

- Recognise members of the opposite sex

- Identify a mate who is capable of breeding (i.e. sexually mature, fertile and biologically fit)

- Synchronise mating so that it takes place when there is maximum probability of the sperm and egg meeting

- Form a pair bond that will lead to successful mating and raising of offspring

What does the phylogenetic classification system attempt to do? (2)

- Arrange species into groups

- Based on their evolutionary origins and relationships

How are species organised in the phylogenetic classification system? (3)

- A hierarchy

- In which smaller groups are placed within larger groups

- With no overlap between groups

What is each group called in the phylogenetic classification system? (2)

- Taxon

- Plural = taxa

State the order of classification (8)

1. Domain

2. Kingdom

3. ‎Phylum

4. Class

5. Order

6. Family

7. Genus

8. Species

Describe how species are universally identified (2)

- By a binomial

- Consisting of Genus and Species e.g. Homo Sapiens