Taxonomy, Classification, and Phylogeny

A set of practice flashcards covering taxonomy, binomial nomenclature, classification hierarchy, and phylogeny concepts from the notes.

What is taxonomy?

A system of naming organisms based on the Linnaean naming scheme.

What is binomial nomenclature?

A two-part Latin or Latinized name for each organism, consisting of genus and species.

How should binomial names be formatted in text?

Latin or Latinized names that are italicized, genus is capitalised, species is lowercase.

List the major taxonomic ranks from broad to specific.

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

What is the basis for hierarchical classification?

Grouping organisms based on common characteristics.

In hierarchical classification, what grouping do closely related species share?

They are placed in the same genus.

What is phylogeny?

The study of the evolutionary history or relationships among organisms.

What is homology?

Similar traits due to shared ancestry

What is homoplasy (also called analogy)?

Traits similar for reasons other than shared ancestry.

What drives convergent evolution?

Natural selection favors similar solutions to similar life histories, causing unrelated organisms to evolve similar structures.

In a phylogenetic tree, what is a node?

A fork in time where an ancestral group splits into two or more descendant groups.

What is a branch on a phylogenetic tree?

The evolutionary lineage between two nodes

What is the root of a phylogenetic tree?

The first or most basal node, representing the most recent common ancestor of all members.

What is a tip (terminal node)?

A living today or extinct group at the end of a branch.

What is an outgroup?

A species or group closely related to, but not a member of, the group under study.

What is an ingroup?

The group of species being studied in the phylogenetic analysis

Define monophyletic.

A group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants (a clade)

Define paraphyletic.

A group that includes a common ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants

Define polyphyletic.

A lineage that does not include the most recent common ancestor for all its members.