Biology Classification Systems Quiz

Classification System

• A method for organizing and categorizing organisms based on similarities into taxa.

Binomial Nomenclature

• Developed by Carolus Linnaeus; assigns each species a two-part scientific name.

Scientific Name

• Composed of two parts: genus and species, representing the taxonomic designation of an organism.

Domains of Life

• Domain: Highest classification level; includes Archaea, Bacteria, Eukaryotes.
• Domain Bacteria: Encompasses Kingdom Eubacteria, characterized by peptidoglycan cell walls.
• Domain Archaea: Includes Kingdom Archeabacteria, consisting of prokaryotes in extreme environments; lacks peptidoglycan.
• Domain Eukarya: Contains Kingdoms Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia; all are eukaryotes.

Kingdom Classification

• Kingdom Eubacteria: Contains free-living prokaryotic organisms, classified under Domain Bacteria.
• Kingdom Archeabacteria: Comprises prokaryotes found in extreme environments, classified under Domain Archaea.
• Kingdom Animalia: Multicellular eukaryotes that are motile and lack cell walls, classified under Domain Eukarya.
• Kingdom Plantae: Multicellular eukaryotes with cellulose-containing cell walls, classified under Domain Eukarya.
• Kingdom Fungi: Multicellular eukaryotes with chitin in their cell walls, includes mushrooms and molds, classified under Domain Eukarya.
• Kingdom Protista: Includes various unicellular and multicellular eukaryotic organisms, such as amoeba and algae, classified under Domain Eukarya.

Organism Types

• Heterotroph: Organisms that derive energy from consuming other organisms.
• Autotroph: Organisms capable of producing their own energy through processes like photosynthesis.
• Prokaryote: Cells that lack a nucleus.
• Eukaryote: Cells that contain a nucleus.
• Unicellular: Organisms made up of a single cell.
• Multicellular: Organisms composed of two or more cells.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

• Node: Represents a point of a common ancestor within a phylogenetic tree.
• Derived Characteristic: Traits gained over time that were not present in previous forms.
• Clade: A group of organisms derived from a common ancestor.
• Taxonomy: A scientific branch focused on describing, identifying, naming, and classifying organisms.
• Cladogram: Diagram illustrating the branching evolution of species from common ancestors.

Key Contributions

• Carolus Linnaeus: Established the foundation for modern classification; recognized as the "Father of Taxonomy."
• Taxon: An organizational level or group into which organisms are classified.