AH Biology - Unit 2 - KA1(c) - Identification and Taxonomy

What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy is identifying and naming organisms and classifying them into groups based on shared characteristics.

What was classic taxonomy based on?

Classic taxonomy was based on morphology, the shape and structure of the organisms or parts of them.

What is phylogenetics?

Phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.

What does phylogenetics use heritable traits, such as morphology, DNA sequencing, and protein structure, to do and what can be made from this?

Phylogenetics use heritable traits, such as morphology, DNA sequencing, and protein structure, to make inferences about an organisms evolutionary history. From this a phylogeny or phylogenetic tree can be created.

What is a phylogenetic tree?

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram showing a hypothesis of an organisms evolutionary history and relationships to other organisms.

What does phylogenetics focuse much more on?

Phylogenetics focuses much more on genetics and proteins to classify individual species.

As a result of genetic evidence becoming used more, what is happening to the traditional classification of many organisms?

As a result of genetic evidence becoming used more, the traditional classification of many organisms is changing. Many species who were thought to be closely related in evolutionary terms are actually not, but have shared characteristics which have evolved seperately.

What is divergent evolution?

Divergent evolution is when species inherit common features from a common ancestor. They have then evolved to become different from each other.

What is convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution is when species have both evolved a common feature independently from eachother. They do not share a common ancestor. (with that common feature?) For example, flight evolved separately in bats and birds.

What does taxonomy do?

Taxonomy classifies organisms into groups with similar features.

What does taxonomy allow scientists to do?

Taxonomy allows scientists to make predictions and inferences between an unknown or unusual organism and a better known model organism.

What are model organisms?

Model organisms are organisms that scientists have been studying for many years, a lot is known about them.

What can information gathered from model organisms be applied to?

Information gathered from model organisms be applied to other species that are more difficult to study.

What are the key taxonomic groups?

The key taxonomic groups are:

• Nematodia. Nematodes are round worms and are very parasitic.

• Arthropoda. Arthropods are jointed legged invertebrates. They have segmented bodies and paired appendages.

• Chordata. Chordata is composed of tunicates, cephalochordates, and vertebrates.

What is the model organism for nematodia?

The model organism for nematodia is Caenorhabditis elegans

What is the model organism for arthropods?

The model organism for arthropods is Drosophila melanogaster.

What are the model organisms for chordates?

The model organisms for chordates are mice, rats, and zebrafish.