BDC231 Week 1 Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards based on the BDC231 Week 1 lecture notes, covering plant taxonomy and related concepts.

Plant Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms, specifically plants.

Carl Linnaeus

Father of taxonomy of plants and animals, known for his contributions to the binomial system.

Binomial System

A system of naming organisms consisting of the generic name followed by a specific epithet.

Species Plantarum

Book published by Linnaeus (1 May 1753) which is the starting point for Botanical Nomenclature.

Classification

The ordering of organisms into groups based on similarities and/or differences, with the aim of placing all species in a classification system.

Nomenclature

The naming of organisms according to a set of rules ('The Code'), aiming for universal and unambiguous names.

Hierarchical Classifications

Systems where classifications combine species into successively larger and wider categories.

Predictive Classification

Classifications that give well founded interferences when taxon belongs to a certain group.

Natural Classifications

Classifications with high levels of predictivity, and groups delimited are natural groups.

Identification/Determination

The naming of an organism by reference to an already existing classification system.

Taxon

Any taxonomic grouping such as a phylum, a family, or a species.

Diagnosis

A statement of the characteristics of a taxon.

Taxonomic/Systematic Characters

Characters that contribute to a taxonomic description.

Phylogenetic Relationships

Relationships between taxa determined by the study of biological evolution, reflected in classifications.

Biological Variations

Departure from a standard or mean value within a particular group; can be genotypic or phenotypic.

Speciation

The process through which new species are formed.

Species

A basic, discrete biological unit within a recognisable set of correlated characters.

Phylogeny

Study of evolutionary relationships, ancestral relationships, and family trees to create a classification system.

Pioneer Phase

Phase in taxonomy involving discovery, classifying, description, naming, and identification of plants.

Consolidation Phase

Phase in taxonomy involving monographic studies, revisions, and Floras.

Experimental/Biosystematic Phase

Phase in taxonomy involving experimental work on reproduction and variation patterns in species.

Encyclopaedic Phase

Phase in taxonomy involving analysis and synthesis of data from various disciplines to develop phylogenetic classifications.

Traditional Taxonomy (Alpha Taxonomy)

Relies mainly on herbarium material for classification.

Modern Taxonomy (Omega Taxonomy)

Includes biosystematics, chemotaxonomy, molecular taxonomy, phenetics, and phylogenetics.