Biology Taxonomy and Classification

Questions and Answers

Organisms are named and classified based on physical characteristics in?

Evolutionary trees

Molecular clocks

Cladograms

Linnaean taxonomy (correct)

Which of the following is the most abundant group of organisms on Earth?

Plants

Protista

Bacteria (correct)

Archaea

In the Linnaean system of classification, which of the following is most commonly defined as a group of organisms that can breed and produce offspring?

Genus

Species (correct)

Order

Phylum

In the blank cladogram in Figure 17.1, what type of information would go on the lines labeled A?

Derived characters Signup and view all the answers

In the cladogram in Figure 17.1, what type of information would go in the area labeled B?

Derived characters Signup and view all the answers

In the 1860s, all single-celled organisms were placed in their own kingdom called?

Protista Signup and view all the answers

How many kingdoms are there in the most current taxonomic system?

6 Signup and view all the answers

The modern classification system is mainly based on supposed?

Common ancestry Signup and view all the answers

Carl Woese divided the kingdom Monera into the kingdoms Bacteria and?

Archaea Signup and view all the answers

The name Canis lupus is an example of?

Binomial nomenclature Signup and view all the answers

How many nodes are shown in the cladogram in Figure 17.1?

4 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contains the most members?

Class Signup and view all the answers

Which domain contains all organisms that have a nucleus?

Eukarya Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the most specific taxon shared by the ashy-headed goose, Chloephaga poliocephala, and the ruddy-headed goose, Ghloephaga rubidiceps?

Genus Signup and view all the answers

If two organisms are in the same phylum, what other taxon do they have in common?

Kingdom Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the correctly written scientific name for a red maple tree?

Acer rubrum Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of a cladogram?

Taxons Signup and view all the answers

What do evolutionary biologists theorize is true about two organisms that supposedly share the same common ancestor?

They are in the same clade Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of organisms in domain Archaea?

Their ability to live in extreme environments Signup and view all the answers

Which kingdom is not included in domain Eukarya?

Bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Why are bacteria so difficult to classify at the species level?

They exchange genes and thus don't have distinct species. Signup and view all the answers

What is a taxon?

A group of organisms in a classification system Signup and view all the answers

What is phylogeny?

Hypothesized evolutionary history for a group of species Signup and view all the answers

What is a cladogram?

A common method used to make evolutionary trees Signup and view all the answers

What is a derived character?

Traits shared in different degrees by clade members Signup and view all the answers

What is a genus?

Includes one or more similar species Signup and view all the answers

What is cladistics?

Classification based on hypothesized common ancestry Signup and view all the answers

What is a domain?

Taxon larger than a kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What is binomial nomenclature?

A two-part naming system Signup and view all the answers

What is taxonomy?

The science of naming and classifying organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is a dichotomous key?

A common classification tool used by scientists to identify objects or organisms Signup and view all the answers

Arrange the following kingdoms by number of classified species (A is lowest number of classified species and D is highest number of classified species):

Fungi = A Protista = B Plantae = C Animalia = D Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of organisms in domain Protista?

All have eukaryotic cells, may be unicellular Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of organisms in domain Animalia?

All have eukaryotic cells, all are heterotrophs, all are multicellular Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of organisms in domain Plantae?

All have eukaryotic cells, all are autotrophs, all are multicellular Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of organisms in domain Fungi?

All have eukaryotic, may be unicellular, all are heterotrophs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Taxonomy and Classification

Organisms are classified using Linnaean taxonomy, based on physical characteristics.
The most abundant group of organisms on Earth is bacteria.
In Linnaean classification, a species is defined as a group that can breed and produce offspring.

Cladograms and Their Use

Derived characters are crucial in cladograms to indicate specific traits shared by clade members.
Cladograms represent evolutionary relationships and are a common method for creating evolutionary trees.

Historical Context of Classification

In the 1860s, all single-celled organisms were grouped under the kingdom Protista.
Carl Woese divided the kingdom Monera into two kingdoms: Bacteria and Archaea.

Modern Taxonomic System

The current taxonomic system comprises six kingdoms.
Classification is mostly based on common ancestry, helping define relationships among organisms.

Domains and Kingdoms

The Eukarya domain includes all organisms with a nucleus.
Bacteria are the only kingdom not included in the domain Eukarya.

Taxonomic Hierarchy and Relationships

Genus is the most specific taxon shared by closely related species, such as the ashy-headed goose and the ruddy-headed goose.
If two organisms belong to the same phylum, they also share the same kingdom.

Scientific Names and Nomenclature

The scientific name for a red maple tree is correctly written as Acer rubrum, demonstrating the use of binomial nomenclature.
Taxon refers to any group of organisms within a classification system.

Evolutionary Biology Concepts

Organisms sharing a common ancestor are believed to belong to the same clade.
Organisms in the domain Archaea are characterized by their ability to survive in extreme environments.

Challenges in Classification

Bacteria are challenging to classify at the species level due to their ability to exchange genes, which complicates distinct species definitions.

Key Terms and Definitions

Phylogeny is the hypothesized evolutionary history for a group of species.
Cladistics emphasizes classification based on supposed common ancestry.
Dichotomous keys are tools used for identifying objects or organisms based on shared characteristics.

Overviews of Biological Kingdoms

Animalia: All members are eukaryotic, heterotrophic, and multicellular.
Plantae: Characterized by eukaryotic cells, autotrophic nutrition, and multicellularity.
Fungi: Composed of eukaryotic cells, can be unicellular, and are heterotrophic.
Protista: Mostly unicellular with eukaryotic cells.

Classification by Species Count

Classified series of kingdoms by species count:
- Fungi: A (lowest)
- Protista: B
- Plantae: C
- Animalia: D (highest).

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of biological taxonomy and classification in this quiz. Test your knowledge on Linnaean taxonomy, cladograms, and the historical context behind modern classification systems. Understand how organisms are grouped and the significance of evolutionary relationships.