Biology Quiz: Phylogeny and Taxonomy

Questions and Answers

What is phylogeny?

The evolutionary history of life and all living things on earth.

What does paleontology provide evidence for?

Evidence from fossils.

What is comparative anatomy?

The different physical structures of plants and animals.

Define taxonomy.

The naming and classification of species and groups of species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Linnean System?

A system of taxonomy in which each species has a two-part name and species are organized hierarchically into broadening groups of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a binomial?

A two-part name, made up of Genus and Specific Epithet. Signup and view all the answers

What does genus refer to?

The closest group in which a species belongs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a specific epithet?

The specific species within each genus. Signup and view all the answers

What are Linnean groupings?

Family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain. Signup and view all the answers

What is Plantae?

Kingdom within Eukarya, in which all organisms are plants, eukaryotes, autotrophic (through photosynthesis), can be uni or multicellular, and reproduce sexually. Signup and view all the answers

Define Fungi.

Kingdom within Eukarya, in which all organisms are eukaryotes, heterotrophic, can be uni or multicellular, and reproduce asexually. Signup and view all the answers

What is Animalia?

Kingdom within Eukarya, in which all organisms are eukaryotes, heterotrophic, multicellular and reproduce sexually. Signup and view all the answers

What does Protista encompass?

Kingdom within Eukarya in which all organisms are eukaryotes, can be hetero or autotrophic, uni or multicellular, and can reproduce sexually or asexually. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes eukaryotes?

Cells contain DNA within a nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

Define prokaryote.

Cells have no nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of all living things?

Inheritance, made up of one or more cells, respond to environment to maintain homeostasis, obtain nutrients to turn into energy, evolution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Central Dogma?

DNA -> RNA -> proteins -> traits. Signup and view all the answers

What does homeostasis mean?

Steady internal state that must be maintained for life. Signup and view all the answers

Define autotroph.

Organism that creates its own food, usually through photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is a heterotroph?

Organisms that rely on others for food production. Signup and view all the answers

What is biology?

The scientific study of life. Signup and view all the answers

Define DNA.

Nucleic acid containing instructions for assembling proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What is inheritance?

The acquisition of traits through DNA transmission. Signup and view all the answers

Define reproduction.

The mechanisms by which an organism produces offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What does development refer to?

The transformation from single cell to adult. Signup and view all the answers

What is energy?

The capacity to do work. Signup and view all the answers

Define metabolism.

The capacity to obtain and convert energy from one's surroundings and then use it to maintain and grow oneself. Signup and view all the answers

What is a stimulus?

Specific form of energy detected by receptors such as sunlight, heat, or mechanical energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mutation?

A molecular change in DNA. Signup and view all the answers

Define bacteria.

Prokaryotic cells containing no nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What are eubacteria?

Prokaryotes containing fatty acids in their cell membranes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Phylogeny and Fossils

Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history of life on Earth, encompassing all living organisms.
Paleontology is the study of fossils that provide evidence of past life forms.

Classification and Anatomy

Comparative Anatomy analyzes the physical structures of different plants and animals to reveal relationships.
Taxonomy involves naming and classifying species into groups based on shared characteristics.

Linnean System

The Linnean System of taxonomy assigns a two-part name to each species (binomial nomenclature) and organizes species into hierarchical categories.
Binomial nomenclature consists of a Genus name and a Specific Epithet.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Linnean groupings include Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, and Domain, which collectively represent the hierarchy of biological classification (DKPCOFGS).

Kingdoms of Eukarya

Plantae: Kingdom characterized by multicellular autotrophic organisms that perform photosynthesis.
Fungi: Kingdom comprising heterotrophic organisms, which can be unicellular or multicellular and reproduce asexually. Examples include yeasts and molds.
Animalia: Kingdom of multicellular heterotrophic organisms that reproduce sexually, including various species such as dogs and cats.
Protista: Diverse kingdom containing eukaryotic organisms that can be autotrophic or heterotrophic, unicellular or multicellular, and utilize both sexual and asexual reproduction.

Cellular Biology

Eukaryotes possess DNA within a nucleus, while Prokaryotes lack a nucleus.
Organisms can be classified based on their nutritional methods: Autotrophs create their own food, often through photosynthesis, whereas Heterotrophs depend on other organisms for nourishment.

Characteristics of Life

All living things inherit DNA and consist of one or more cells, including essential biomolecules such as carbohydrates and proteins.
Living organisms respond to environmental stimuli to maintain homeostasis and require energy to grow and reproduce.
Evolution signifies the gradual change of species over time.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The Central Dogma illustrates the flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed to RNA, which is then translated into proteins responsible for traits.

Basic Biological Concepts

Homeostasis is the state of internal balance maintained within an organism for survival.
Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions that facilitate energy acquisition, conversion, and utilization.
Development involves changes from a single cell to a fully formed adult.

Genetic Changes and Stimuli

Mutations are alterations in DNA that can lead to variations within species.
Stimulus refers to any form of energy detected by an organism's receptors, including light, heat, and mechanical energy.

Overview of Bacteria

Bacteria are simple prokaryotic cells without a nucleus, classified into two main groups:
Eubacteria contains fatty acids in their membranes and is characterized by its role in various ecosystems.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the evolutionary history of life, including phylogeny, fossils, and the classification of living organisms. Explore the Linnean system, taxonomic hierarchy, and the characteristics of different kingdoms, particularly Kingdom Plantae.