Diversity Among Organisms: Taxonomy and Phylogenetics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture on diversity among organisms, focusing on taxonomy and phylogenetics, including definitions of terms, classification systems, and the interpretation of evolutionary relationships.

Taxonomy

A system of naming and grouping organisms, classifying them into groups.

Phylogenetics

A field of biology interested in species relationships; a way to graphically depict how species are related in an evolutionary sense.

Carolus Linnaeus

A botanist from the eighteenth century who developed much of the modern system of taxonomy.

Binomial Nomenclature

A system of naming where every species is given a unique two-part name.

Hierarchical Classification

A system where organisms are grouped into broad categories, with more narrow groups nested within them.

Genus (plural: Genera)

The first part of a species' binomial name, representing a broad category of related species.

Species Name (Specific Epithet)

The second part of a species' binomial name, acting as an adjective description within its genus.

Taxon (plural: Taxa)

Any category or group in a classification system (e.g., species, genus, family).

Domains

The broadest classification category above kingdoms, including Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea).

Lineage

A sequence of ancestor and descendant populations over time, typically over long periods.

Microevolution

Evolutionary changes occurring from generation to generation, such as changes in allele frequencies or a trait becoming more common.

Macroevolution

Large-scale evolutionary changes involving new forms and functions, beyond just allele frequency shifts.

Sister Taxa

Two taxa that share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with any other group displayed on a phylogeny.

Node (in Phylogenetics)

A branching point on a phylogenetic tree, representing a hypothetical common ancestor or a point of divergence between lineages.

Reading a Phylogeny

Interpreting a phylogenetic tree; time typically moves from left to right (past to present), and relatedness is determined by the order of branching and shared common ancestors when read from right to left (recent to past).

Phylogenetic Tree (Map)

A graphical representation of species relationships and hierarchical organization, mapping evolutionary history.

Character (in Phylogenetics)

Any feature or trait (e.g., DNA sequence, physical trait, behavior, physiology) used to infer evolutionary relationships between organisms.

Ancestral Character

A character that was present in the common ancestor of the taxa being examined and inherited by its descendants.

Derived Character

A novel character that is new or unique relative to the common ancestor of a particular group, not present in that ancestor.