Classification of Life and Taxonomy

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the classification of life, taxonomy, and the defining features of life domains and kingdoms.

What is Taxonomy?

The science of naming the diversity of life.

Who is known as the Father of Taxonomy?

Carl Linnaeus.

What is the Binomen system created by Linnaeus?

A system that includes the Genus and Specific Epithet.

What is the format for writing scientific names?

The Genus is capitalized, the specific epithet is lower case, and both are italicized or underlined.

What are the three Domains of Life?

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What is a Prokaryote?

An organism that lacks a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles, and has circular DNA.

What distinguishes Domain Archaea from Domain Bacteria?

Archaea lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls.

What are extremophiles?

Organisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as high temperature or salinity.

What are the four kingdoms within Domain Eukarya?

Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

What is a Eukaryote?

An organism that has a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles.