Biology Chapter 2 Unit B Review

Classification and Taxonomy

• Classification organizes organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.
• Effective classification aids in identifying unfamiliar organisms and streamlining information organization.

Levels of Classification

• Classification levels become more specific with each descending category.
• Sequence of classification levels: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Taxonomy Explained

• Taxonomy is the scientific discipline of naming and classifying organisms.
• Taxonomists categorize organisms by their characteristics, enhancing communication about them.

Taxon and Binomial Nomenclature

• A taxon is a group of organisms sharing specific traits.
• Binomial nomenclature is a two-word naming system for species, developed by Carolus Linnaeus.
• In this system, the Genus name is capitalized, while the species name is lowercase, both italicized.

Organism Relationships

• Organisms sharing a Genus name are closely related, indicating shared classification levels.
• Examples include Felis Catus and Felis silvestris, both in the same Genus.

Identifying Organisms

• A dichotomous key helps identify organisms through a series of binary questions, narrowing possibilities.
• Field guides classify organisms with photographs and habitat maps.

Domains and Kingdoms

• Organisms are classified into three domains: Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea.
• Eukarya includes the kingdoms Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista; Bacteria and Archaea are separate kingdoms.
• The domain classification emerged from advances in microscopy that revealed three cellular types.

Characteristics and Domain Classification

• Characteristics such as cellular composition, energy acquisition, and nuclear presence determine domain classification.
• Kingdom Animalia includes multicellular and eukaryotic organisms with mobility.

Test your knowledge on the principles of classification in biology with these flashcards. This quiz covers key concepts and definitions that help you understand how organisms are grouped. Enhance your understanding of categorization and its significance in biological sciences.