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Questions and Answers
What is taxonomy?
What is taxonomy?
What is binomial nomenclature?
What is binomial nomenclature?
A system for giving each organism a two-word scientific name that consists of the genus name followed by the species name.
What does genus refer to in biology?
What does genus refer to in biology?
Taxonomic group containing one or more species.
What is a taxon?
What is a taxon?
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Define family in biological classification.
Define family in biological classification.
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What is an order in biological taxonomy?
What is an order in biological taxonomy?
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What is class in the context of biological taxonomy?
What is class in the context of biological taxonomy?
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Define phylum.
Define phylum.
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What is a kingdom in biological classification?
What is a kingdom in biological classification?
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What does phylogeny represent in biology?
What does phylogeny represent in biology?
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What is evolutionary classification?
What is evolutionary classification?
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What is a derived character?
What is a derived character?
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What is a cladogram?
What is a cladogram?
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What is a molecular clock?
What is a molecular clock?
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What is the domain in biological classification?
What is the domain in biological classification?
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What defines bacteria as a domain?
What defines bacteria as a domain?
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What characterizes eubacteria?
What characterizes eubacteria?
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What does archaea refer to?
What does archaea refer to?
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Define archaebacteria.
Define archaebacteria.
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What does eukarya encompass?
What does eukarya encompass?
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What characterizes the kingdom Protista?
What characterizes the kingdom Protista?
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What defines fungi?
What defines fungi?
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What characterizes the kingdom Plantae?
What characterizes the kingdom Plantae?
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What defines the kingdom Animalia?
What defines the kingdom Animalia?
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What do all organisms have in common?
What do all organisms have in common?
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How many species have scientists been able to identify?
How many species have scientists been able to identify?
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What does the presence of similar genes in very dissimilar organisms imply?
What does the presence of similar genes in very dissimilar organisms imply?
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Who developed the modern taxonomic system?
Who developed the modern taxonomic system?
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On what basis do scientists organize living things?
On what basis do scientists organize living things?
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What do traditional classifications primarily take into account?
What do traditional classifications primarily take into account?
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What makes up a scientific name?
What makes up a scientific name?
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Study Notes
Classification and Taxonomy
- Taxonomy is the discipline focused on classifying organisms and assigning them universally accepted names.
- Binomial nomenclature consists of a two-word scientific name for organisms, structured as genus followed by species.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
- Genus is a taxonomic group that includes one or more species.
- A taxon is defined as a group of organisms classified at any taxonomic level.
- Family includes one or more genera, while order encompasses one or more families.
- Class groups several orders together, and phylum contains multiple classes.
- Kingdom is the broadest taxonomic category, including several phyla.
Evolution and Relationships
- Phylogeny illustrates the evolutionary development sequences of species or taxonomic groups.
- Evolutionary classification groups organisms by their evolutionary history, reflecting common descent.
- Derived characters are traits that appear in newer lineage parts, not found in older members.
- Cladograms represent evolutionary relationships based on shared derived traits.
Molecular and Taxonomic Models
- Molecular clocks estimate the duration two species have evolved independently, using DNA comparisons.
- Domains represent a taxonomic category above kingdoms, categorized into Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
Domains and Kingdoms
- Bacteria: A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with peptidoglycan in their cell walls.
- Eubacteria is a kingdom within Bacteria, consisting of prokaryotes with peptidoglycan cell walls.
- Archaea are another domain of unicellular prokaryotes whose cell walls lack peptidoglycan; archaebacteria is the kingdom equivalent.
- Eukarya includes all organisms with nuclei and is divided into kingdoms:
- Protista: Eukaryotes not classified as plants, animals, or fungi.
- Fungi: Heterotrophic organisms, either unicellular or multicellular, reproducing sexually or asexually.
- Plantae: Complex, multicellular organisms, usually green, with cellulose cell walls, unable to move, using photosynthesis.
- Animalia: Multicellular organisms without cell walls, capable of movement and responsive to their environment.
Commonalities and Discoveries
- All organisms share DNA and RNA as fundamental components.
- Approximately 1.5 million species have been identified by scientists.
- Similar genes in vastly different organisms suggest a common ancestor, indicative of evolutionary processes.
- The modern taxonomic system was developed by Linnaeus, emphasizing physical similarities and differences.
- Traditional classifications generally focus primarily on physical traits and characteristics.
- Scientific names consist of the genus name followed by the species name.
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Description
Test your knowledge of classification and taxonomy in biology with these flashcards. Each card features a term and its definition, helping you understand key concepts such as binomial nomenclature and the genus. Perfect for students studying biological sciences or anyone interested in taxonomy.