Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is biology considered the science of?
What is biology considered the science of?
- conservation of biodiversity
- anthropocentric view of nature
- inanimate matter
- life forms and living processes (correct)
What was deified by early man?
What was deified by early man?
- some inanimate matter and some living organisms (correct)
- only inanimate matter
- neither inanimate matter nor living organisms
- only living organisms
What is a common feature of both inanimate and animate objects?
What is a common feature of both inanimate and animate objects?
- sense of indifference
- sense of wonder
- sense of curiosity
- awe or fear (correct)
When did the description of living organisms including human beings begin?
When did the description of living organisms including human beings begin?
What prevented societies from registering progress in biological knowledge?
What prevented societies from registering progress in biological knowledge?
What was the outcome of systematic and monumental description of life forms?
What was the outcome of systematic and monumental description of life forms?
What is a revelation that humbled man and led to cultural movements?
What is a revelation that humbled man and led to cultural movements?
What will be described in the following chapters of this unit?
What will be described in the following chapters of this unit?
What is the purpose of taxonomic studies in biology?
What is the purpose of taxonomic studies in biology?
What does the term 'specific epithet' refer to in binomial nomenclature?
What does the term 'specific epithet' refer to in binomial nomenclature?
What is the scientific name for human beings?
What is the scientific name for human beings?
What is a genus in taxonomy?
What is a genus in taxonomy?
Which of the following is an example of a genus?
Which of the following is an example of a genus?
What is the main characteristic of a family in taxonomy?
What is the main characteristic of a family in taxonomy?
What is the main difference between a genus and a family?
What is the main difference between a genus and a family?
Which of the following is an example of a species?
Which of the following is an example of a species?
What is the branch of knowledge that deals with the identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms?
What is the branch of knowledge that deals with the identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms?
What is the purpose of taxonomic studies?
What is the purpose of taxonomic studies?
What is the system of nomenclature used to name organisms?
What is the system of nomenclature used to name organisms?
What is the Phylum/Division of the organism 'Man'?
What is the Phylum/Division of the organism 'Man'?
What is the biological name of the organism 'Housefly'?
What is the biological name of the organism 'Housefly'?
What is the main purpose of classification of organisms?
What is the main purpose of classification of organisms?
Why is taxonomy important?
Why is taxonomy important?
What is the main characteristic of the binomial system of nomenclature?
What is the main characteristic of the binomial system of nomenclature?
What is the estimate of the number of known and described species on Earth?
What is the estimate of the number of known and described species on Earth?
What is the term used to describe the number and types of organisms present on Earth?
What is the term used to describe the number and types of organisms present on Earth?
Why do we observe a greater variety of living organisms in a dense forest?
Why do we observe a greater variety of living organisms in a dense forest?
What is the primary focus of scientists when answering the question 'What is living?'
What is the primary focus of scientists when answering the question 'What is living?'
What is the purpose of classifying living organisms?
What is the purpose of classifying living organisms?
What is the result of increasing the area of observation for living organisms?
What is the result of increasing the area of observation for living organisms?
What is a taxon?
What is a taxon?
What is the term used to describe each different kind of plant, animal, or organism?
What is the term used to describe each different kind of plant, animal, or organism?
What is the reason for the continuous discovery of new organisms?
What is the reason for the continuous discovery of new organisms?
What is the correct sequence of taxonomic categories?
What is the correct sequence of taxonomic categories?
What is the implicit question that scientists attempt to answer when reflecting on 'what is living?'
What is the implicit question that scientists attempt to answer when reflecting on 'what is living?'
What do we learn from the identification of individuals and populations?
What do we learn from the identification of individuals and populations?
What is the botanical name of the Mango?
What is the botanical name of the Mango?
Why do classification systems change over time?
Why do classification systems change over time?
Study Notes
The Living World
- The living world comprises an amazing diversity of living organisms, with a range of sizes, colors, habitats, and physiological and morphological features.
- The diversity of living organisms is so vast that it is estimated to range between 1.7-1.8 million species, although new species are still being discovered.
Biological Classification
- Biological classification is a system of identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms, which is essential for understanding the diversity of life.
- The classification system is based on the principle of grouping similar organisms together, and it is used to identify and categorize organisms into different taxonomic categories.
Taxonomic Categories
- Species: a group of individual organisms with fundamental similarities, distinguished by distinct morphological differences.
- Genus: a group of related species that have more characters in common compared to species of other genera.
- Family: a group of related genera with still fewer similarities compared to genus and species.
- Order: a higher level of taxonomic category that groups related families together.
- Class: a higher level of taxonomic category that groups related orders together.
- Phylum/Division: a higher level of taxonomic category that groups related classes together.
Binomial System of Nomenclature
- Each organism is assigned a correct scientific/biological name comprising two words: the genus name and the specific epithet.
- The binomial system of nomenclature is universally accepted and used to identify and categorize organisms.
Importance of Taxonomic Studies
- Taxonomic studies are useful in agriculture, forestry, industry, and in general for knowing our bio-resources and their diversity.
- The study of kinds and diversity of organisms helps us understand the defining characteristics of living organisms.
Exercises
- Questions to be answered, including:
- Why are living organisms classified?
- Why are classification systems changing?
- Criteria for classifying people
- What we learn from identification of individuals and populations
- Correct sequence of taxonomical categories
- Examples of taxa at different hierarchical levels
- Meaning of species in different contexts
- Definition and understanding of taxonomic terms (phylum, class, family, order, genus)
- Illustration of taxonomical hierarchy with examples of a plant and an animal.
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of biology, including the diversity of living organisms and the early understanding of living processes.