Biodiversity and Classification Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is taxonomy?

Area of study concerned with the describing, naming and classification of organisms (correct)

Study of animal behaviors

Area of study concerned with anatomy

Study of plant genetics

What is a species?

A taxonomic unit consisting of organisms capable of mating and producing viable and fertile offspring.

What does binomial nomenclature refer to?

A system of naming organisms, introduced by Linnaeus, in which all species are given a two-part scientific name.

What is a dichotomous key?

A means of identifying organisms based on a series of questions, each able to be answered by selecting one of two alternatives. Signup and view all the answers

Define biodiversity.

The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest level of classification?

Kingdom. Signup and view all the answers

What are eukaryotes?

Cells that have membrane-bound organelles and a distinct nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What are prokaryotes?

Cells that lack a true nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

Define Protista.

A kingdom of mostly one-celled eukaryotic organisms that are different from plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the kingdom Fungi?

A kingdom made up of non-green, eukaryotic organisms that reproduce by using spores. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Animalia kingdom known for?

The kingdom of the most complex organisms; multicellular, heterotrophic, and mobile. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the Plantae kingdom?

Kingdom of multicellular photosynthetic autotrophs that have cell walls containing cellulose. Signup and view all the answers

What is Archaea?

Domain of prokaryotic organisms that are biochemically and genetically distinct from bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Bacteria' refer to?

One of the three domains in the Woese system of classification that includes prokaryotic organisms known as bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What is a generic name?

Name of the genus to which an organism belongs; the first part of a scientific name. Signup and view all the answers

Define the term taxon.

Any taxonomic group; for example, class, family, genus. Signup and view all the answers

What is classification?

Artificial process of organizing things into groups according to one or more criteria Signup and view all the answers

What is a dichotomous key used for?

For identifying organisms based on a series of questions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Taxonomy and Classification

Taxonomy is the study of describing, naming, and classifying organisms.
It utilizes various levels of classification including domains, kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.
A taxon refers to any taxonomic group, such as a class or family.

Key Terms and Concepts

A species is a taxonomic unit where organisms can mate and produce fertile offspring.
Binomial nomenclature, introduced by Linnaeus, assigns a two-part scientific name consisting of a generic name and a specific name.
Dichotomous keys are tools for identifying organisms through a series of binary questions.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity measures biological diversity per unit area encompassing species, habitat, and genetic diversity.
Five kingdoms exist in taxonomy: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera (which includes Bacteria and Archaea).

Cellular Classification

Eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles and a distinct nucleus, while prokaryotes lack a true nucleus.
Archaea are biochemically and genetically distinct prokaryotic organisms.
Bacteria represent the prokaryotic organisms classified under the Woese system.

Biological Kingdoms

Fungi consist of non-green eukaryotic organisms that reproduce through spores and absorb nutrients.
Animalia encompasses multi-cellular, heterotrophic organisms with mobile structures and sensory organs.
Plantae represents multicellular, photosynthetic autotrophs with cellulose cell walls.
Protista includes mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms that differ from other kingdoms.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The hierarchy starts from domains (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya) and progresses to kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.
The family level includes related genera, while the order includes related families.
Genus is the taxonomic group of related species.

Identification and Classification

An organism's generic name is the first part of its scientific name, identifying its genus.
The specific name, the second part of the scientific name, further defines the species, like "sapiens" in Homo sapiens.
Taxonomists are the biologists specializing in the classification and naming of organisms, providing structure to biological diversity.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms in biodiversity and taxonomy with these flashcards. Learn important concepts such as taxonomy, species, and binomial nomenclature. Ideal for biology students looking to enhance their understanding of classification systems in the natural world.