Science Final - Classification Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is considered the first taxonomist?

Aristotle

How did Aristotle group organisms?

Into two groups - plants and animals

What language is used today for scientific naming?

Latin

Which taxonomist was the first to use Latin for naming organisms?

Carolus Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for our modern naming system for organisms?

Carolus Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

The Linnaean classification system is based on what?

Physical and structural similarities of organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is binomial nomenclature?

A two-word naming system for different species, written in Latin. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two words in a scientific name called, and how should they appear in print?

Genus name (capitalized) and species name (not capitalized); italicized or underlined. Signup and view all the answers

Why aren't common names good to use for species?

Common names can be misleading and vary by region. Signup and view all the answers

What is the modern system of classification based on?

Characteristics of organisms and their evolutionary relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'taxa'?

Groups into which living things are classified. Signup and view all the answers

What are the seven taxonomic categories from broadest to most specific?

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Signup and view all the answers

How many kingdoms did Linnaeus divide organisms into?

Six Signup and view all the answers

Name the kingdoms of organisms and their major characteristics.

<ol> <li>Archaebacteria: Bacteria in extreme environments. 2. Eubacteria: Common bacteria. 3. Protista: Unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. 4. Fungi: Eukaryotes that absorb nutrients. 5. Animalia: Multicellular heterotrophs. 6. Plantae: Multicellular eukaryotes that photosynthesize.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an organism in each category?

See examples above. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three domains and what is included in each group?

<ol> <li>Archaea: Bacteria in extreme environments. 2. Eubacteria: Common bacteria. 3. Eukarya: Organisms with DNA in a nucleus.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a dichotomous key (taxonomic key)?

It helps in identifying organisms based on their characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification Overview

Aristotle, the first taxonomist, categorized organisms into two main groups: plants and animals.
The modern scientific naming system utilizes the Latin language due to its static nature, preventing changes over time.

Key Taxonomists

Carolus Linnaeus was the first to employ Latin for scientific naming and is responsible for the modern naming system for organisms.

Linnaean Classification

The Linnaean classification system is grounded in the physical and structural similarities among organisms.
Binomial nomenclature, derived from the Linnaean system, is a two-word naming convention for species, always written in Latin.

Scientific Naming Conventions

A scientific name consists of two italicized or underlined words: the first word is the genus name (capitalized), and the second is the species name (not capitalized), known as the specific epithet.
Common names can be misleading and vary by region, making them unsuitable for scientific use.

Modern Classification Criteria

Organisms are classified based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships, highlighting their shared ancestry.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Taxa are groups for classification, arranged in a hierarchy from broad categories to more specific ones. The seven primary taxonomic categories are:
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species

Linnaeus’s Kingdom Classification

Linnaeus divided organisms into six kingdoms, with each kingdom defined by major characteristics:
- Archaebacteria: Live in extreme environments, e.g. hot springs.
- Eubacteria: Common bacteria found in various habitats.
- Protista: Includes unicellular (e.g., Amoeba, Paramecium) and multicellular eukaryotes (e.g., kelp), typically in moist environments.
- Fungi: Absorb nutrients from organic materials (e.g., mushrooms, yeast, molds).
- Animalia: Multicellular heterotrophs (e.g., animals).
- Plantae: Multicellular eukaryotes that perform photosynthesis (e.g., plants).

Domains of Life

Three domains categorize life forms based on cell structure:
- Archaea: Consist of bacteria in extreme conditions.
- Eubacteria: Comprise common bacteria.
- Eukarya: Include organisms with DNA contained in a nucleus.

Using Dichotomous Keys

A dichotomous key, also known as a taxonomic key, is a tool used for identifying organisms based on a series of choices that lead the user to the correct identification.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the basics of biological classification with these flashcards. This quiz covers key figures such as Aristotle and Carolus Linnaeus, as well as the principles behind scientific naming and the taxonomic hierarchy. Perfect for preparing for your science final!