17 Questions
What is the purpose of a Dichotomous Key in biology?
To identify an unknown organism based on a series of paired anatomical descriptions.
How do biologists use a Dichotomous Key to identify an organism?
Biologists start by reading a series of paired statements of anatomical descriptions and choosing the one that matches the organism, following the directions step by step.
What are some general characteristics used in a Dichotomous Key to classify animals?
Characteristics such as backbone presence, body shape, legs, wings, skin, swimming ability, and reproductive methods (e.g., laying eggs or giving birth).
Why are the names of organisms in binomial nomenclature always written in italics?
To indicate that the names are in Latin and to distinguish them from other text.
In the example 'Homo sapiens', why is 'Homo' capitalized and 'sapiens' lowercase?
Genus names are capitalized while species names are lowercase in binomial nomenclature.
Based on their names, why do the baboons Papio annubis and Papio cynocephalus not belong to the same genus?
The different species names 'annubis' and 'cynocephalus' indicate that they belong to different species within the same genus Papio.
What is the scientific definition of TAXONOMY?
Taxonomy is the science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms on the basis of shared characteristics.
Who is considered the father of modern taxonomy?
Carl Linnaeus is considered the father of modern taxonomy.
How many taxonomic ranks are used to classify organisms in the Linnaean system?
Organisms are classified into seven taxonomic ranks: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
What is the purpose of using binomial nomenclature to name organisms?
Binomial nomenclature is used to give each organism a unique, standardized scientific name consisting of the genus and species.
Are all organisms classified as fish that have the binomial name 'Jellyfish'?
No, not all organisms with the binomial name 'Jellyfish' are classified as fish.
What is the main role of arthropods like insects and crustaceans in ecosystems?
Arthropods play a crucial role as pollinators, enabling the reproduction and dispersal of many plant species.
How can a dichotomous key be used to identify an unknown organism?
A dichotomous key presents a series of paired statements or questions about observable characteristics, allowing the user to progressively narrow down the identification based on the features exhibited by the unknown organism.
Describe the anatomical features that distinguish animals from other kingdoms of life.
Animals are multicellular eukaryotes that lack cell walls, are heterotrophic (cannot produce their own food), develop from embryonic layers, and typically possess nervous and muscular tissues. The presence of Hox genes that regulate body form is also a defining characteristic.
How do grazing animals contribute to maintaining the balance of ecosystems?
Herds of grazing animals stimulate new growth by disturbing the ground and consuming or breaking up old, mature vegetation, allowing for the regeneration of plant life.
Give an example of an arthropod that acts as a pollinator and describe its pollination mechanism.
Bees are arthropods that act as pollinators. As they collect nectar from flowers, pollen grains stick to the hairs on their bodies and are transferred between plants, enabling cross-pollination.
How do animals like birds and mammals contribute to seed dispersal in ecosystems?
Birds and mammals consume berries or fruits and then disperse the seeds through their droppings, enabling the spread of plant species across the ecosystem.
Study Notes
Binomial Nomenclature
- Also known as the "two-name system"
- Used to avoid confusion with common names
- Written in Latin
- Genus is capitalized, species is lowercase
- Example: Homo sapiens
- Always written in italics
Classification of Organisms
- Kingdom: highest taxonomic rank
- Phylum: e.g. Chordata (includes birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish)
- Invertebrata: animals without a backbone
- Examples of invertebrate phyla: Porifera, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Mollusca, Annelida, Nematoda, Platyhelminthes, and Arthropoda
Characteristics Used to Classify Animals
- Presence or absence of a backbone
- Body shape
- Legs
- Wings
- Skin
- Ability to swim
- Reproduction (external, internal, laying eggs, or giving birth)
- Fur
Dichotomous Key
- A tool used by biologists to identify unknown organisms
- Series of paired statements of anatomical descriptions that lead to an identification
- How to use it:
- Choose one creature at a time
- Read steps 1a and 1b and decide which statement is true
- Follow the directions after that step
Definition of Animal
- Multicellular
- Eukaryotes (lack cell walls)
- Heterotrophs (do not produce food and need to ingest it)
- Animal tissues develop from embryonic layers
- Most have nervous and muscular tissues
- All animals have hox genes (regulate development of body form)
Roles and Functions of Animals in Ecosystems
- Pollination services (e.g. birds, insects, bats)
- Seed dispersal (e.g. birds, mammals)
- Grazing animals stimulate new life by disturbing the ground and eating or breaking up old vegetation
- Animals as pollinators, seed dispersers, and heterotrophs maintain the balance of the food chain
Threats to Animal Diversity
- Not specified in the text
Principle of Animal Taxonomy
- The science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics
- Carl Linnaeus: Father of modern Taxonomy
- Organisms are classified into seven taxonomic ranks: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species
Test your knowledge of binomial nomenclature with this quiz! Learn about the rules for naming organisms, how to write scientific names in Latin, and how to differentiate between different taxa based on their names. Practice with examples like Homo sapiens, and determine the classification of organisms like Papio annubis and Papio cynocephalus.
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