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Questions and Answers
What is classification?
What is classification?
Classification is the division of organisms into groups, classes, based on specific characteristics.
Putting plants and animals into orderly groups based on similar characteristics is called?
Putting plants and animals into orderly groups based on similar characteristics is called?
Classification.
How does classifying living things help human beings?
How does classifying living things help human beings?
Make sense of the world.
What is taxonomy?
What is taxonomy?
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Today a system of classification similar to the system developed by Carolus Linnaeus is?
Today a system of classification similar to the system developed by Carolus Linnaeus is?
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The more closely related living things are to each other, the more?
The more closely related living things are to each other, the more?
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Organisms are thought to be closely related when they have?
Organisms are thought to be closely related when they have?
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Which of the three types of animals are most closely related: bears, lions, and house cats?
Which of the three types of animals are most closely related: bears, lions, and house cats?
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Before the 1600s, scientists divided organisms into what two groups?
Before the 1600s, scientists divided organisms into what two groups?
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What Swedish scientist created the first organized modern taxonomy?
What Swedish scientist created the first organized modern taxonomy?
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How many levels of classification do scientists use today?
How many levels of classification do scientists use today?
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Why are platypus, brown bear, lion, and house cat thought to be related to each other?
Why are platypus, brown bear, lion, and house cat thought to be related to each other?
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What characteristic do the bear, lion, and house cat have that the platypus does not?
What characteristic do the bear, lion, and house cat have that the platypus does not?
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All organisms are classified into?
All organisms are classified into?
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Each domain of organisms is divided into?
Each domain of organisms is divided into?
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What is the plural form of the phylum?
What is the plural form of the phylum?
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A group of organisms that are closely related and can mate to produce fertile offspring is called?
A group of organisms that are closely related and can mate to produce fertile offspring is called?
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In order from largest to smallest, what are the 8 levels of classification?
In order from largest to smallest, what are the 8 levels of classification?
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What are the 8 levels of classification?
What are the 8 levels of classification?
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No matter how many common names an organism might have, it only has one?
No matter how many common names an organism might have, it only has one?
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How was the naming of organisms different before Carolus Linnaeus, and how was the system difficult for scientists?
How was the naming of organisms different before Carolus Linnaeus, and how was the system difficult for scientists?
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Who simplified the naming of living things by giving each species name?
Who simplified the naming of living things by giving each species name?
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In the scientific name for the Asian elephant Elephas maximus, the word 'Elephas' indicates the animal's?
In the scientific name for the Asian elephant Elephas maximus, the word 'Elephas' indicates the animal's?
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All genus names begin with a?
All genus names begin with a?
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All species names begin with a?
All species names begin with a?
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Scientific names are usually in one of these two languages?
Scientific names are usually in one of these two languages?
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In the scientific name Tyrannosaurus Rex, what is the species name?
In the scientific name Tyrannosaurus Rex, what is the species name?
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What abbreviation do scientists sometimes use when referring to Tyrannosaurus Rex?
What abbreviation do scientists sometimes use when referring to Tyrannosaurus Rex?
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What is the scientific name for the common house cat?
What is the scientific name for the common house cat?
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Scientists use a dichotomous key to?
Scientists use a dichotomous key to?
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What kind of identification aid are scientists using when they work through a series of paired descriptive statements?
What kind of identification aid are scientists using when they work through a series of paired descriptive statements?
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Of all organisms on the Earth, what is true?
Of all organisms on the Earth, what is true?
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What do scientists do when a newly discovered organism does not fit in an existing category?
What do scientists do when a newly discovered organism does not fit in an existing category?
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What newly discovered organism, first found about 50 years ago, did not fit in any existing phyla?
What newly discovered organism, first found about 50 years ago, did not fit in any existing phyla?
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Study Notes
Classification and Taxonomy Overview
- Classification divides organisms into groups based on shared characteristics, aiding human understanding of biodiversity.
- Organisms are systematically categorized, helping to distinguish and organize life forms efficiently.
Taxonomy Fundamentals
- Taxonomy is the scientific discipline for describing, classifying, and naming living organisms.
- The modern classification system is influenced by the methods developed by Carl Linnaeus.
Classification Similarities and Relationships
- Closely related organisms share more characteristics; more shared traits indicate a closer relationship.
- Bears, lions, and house cats are mammals that share traits like giving birth to live young.
Historical Context
- Before the 1600s, organisms were primarily classified into two groups: plants and animals.
- Carl Linnaeus is recognized for formalizing the first organized and modern classification system.
Levels of Classification
- There are eight recognized levels of classification: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
- Organisms belong to one of three domains, subdivided into multiple kingdoms.
Scientific Naming Conventions
- Every species has a unique scientific name comprising of a genus name (capitalized) and a species name (lowercase).
- Scientific names are generally derived from Latin or Greek.
- A species is defined as a group of organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring.
Identification Tools
- A dichotomous key is utilized by scientists to identify organisms through a series of paired descriptive statements.
- Scientists may create new categories when encountering organisms that do not fit existing classifications.
Discoveries and New Organisms
- Many organisms remain undiscovered or unclassified; ongoing research continues to identify biodiversity.
- Xenoturbella is a recently discovered organism that did not fit into previously established phyla, highlighting the dynamic nature of taxonomy.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of classification and taxonomy with these flashcards. Understand how organisms are divided into groups based on their characteristics and learn about the importance of categorizing living things. Perfect for students seeking to grasp the basics of biological classification.
