Species Concepts and Classification

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Questions and Answers

A population of frogs in a pond can successfully interbreed and produce fertile offspring. According to which species concept would these frogs be classified as a single species?

Biological Species Concept

Why might the morphological species concept be less reliable when classifying species that exhibit convergent evolution?

Species that exhibit convergent evolution may look similar due to similar environmental pressures, even though they are not closely related. This can lead to misclassification.

What is a primary limitation of using the phylogenetic species concept in classifying organisms, particularly in less-studied groups?

It requires extensive genetic data, which may not be available for all organisms, especially those that are rare or difficult to sample.

Arrange these taxonomic categories from most broad to most specific: Genus, Family, Class, Domain

<p>Domain → Class → Family → Genus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use a standardized system like binomial nomenclature when describing a newly discovered species?

<p>It provides a unique and universally recognized name for each species, avoiding confusion caused by common names that vary by region or language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How could you use the mnemonic 'Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup' to remember the order of classification?

<p>Each word represents a level of classification: ‘Dear’ for Domain, ‘King’ for Kingdom, ‘Philip’ for Phylum, ‘Came’ for Class, ‘Over’ for Order, ‘For’ for Family, ‘Good’ for Genus, and ‘Soup’ for Species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what situation would using a dichotomous key be more efficient than comparing an unknown organism to a large database of species descriptions?

<p>When identifying an organism in the field with limited resources, or when dealing with a specific group of organisms for which a key is available.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When using a dichotomous key, you encounter a statement that says, 'Wings present' or 'Wings absent'. After choosing 'Wings present', what is your next step?

<p>Follow the key's instruction for 'wings present', which will lead to another question or the identification of the organism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

If two species branch off from a recent common node on a cladogram, what does this indicate about their evolutionary relationship?

<p>They are more closely related to each other than to species that branch off earlier (closer to the root) on the cladogram.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a decrease in biodiversity within an ecosystem affect its ability to recover from a natural disaster, such as a flood or wildfire?

<p>A decrease in biodiversity reduces the ecosystem's resilience, making it less able to adapt and recover from disturbances because there is less variety of species with different traits to fill ecological roles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Biological Species Concept

Species are organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, useful for animals.

Morphological Species Concept

Species are based on structural similarities, useful for fossils but subjective.

Phylogenetic Species Concept

Species are the smallest group sharing a common ancestor, based on DNA analysis.

Classification Hierarchy

Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species.

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Binomial Nomenclature

A system for naming species with two parts: genus and species, developed by Carl Linnaeus.

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Dichotomous Keys

Tools using step-by-step choices to identify organisms.

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Cladograms

Illustrate evolutionary relationships using shared traits; closer organisms are more related.

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Biodiversity

Variety of life, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity, crucial for stability.

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Genetic Diversity

Variety within a species; adaptability and survival of species.

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Lytic vs. Lysogenic Cycles

The virus copies itself quickly vs. virus DNA hiding in the host and activating later.

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Study Notes

  • Study notes are below

Biological Species Concept

  • Groups of organisms can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
  • Particularly useful for animals and provides clear classification criteria

Morphological Species Concept

  • Based on structural similarities
  • Useful for classifying fossils and extinct species
  • Can be subjective as look-alikes may not belong to the same species

Phylogenetic Species Concept

  • Smallest group shares a common ancestor, based on DNA analysis
  • Very accurate but requires advanced genetic testing

Classification Hierarchy

  • Structed from broad to specific categories
  • Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species, becoming more specific moving down the hierarchy

Binomial Nomenclature

  • Naming system for species with two parts
  • Genus (capitalized
  • Species (lowercase, italicized or underlined when handwritten)
  • Developed by Carl Linnaeus

Classification Hierarchy Mnemonic

  • 'Dear King Philip, Come Over For Good Soup!' Helps to remember the order of classification categories from Domain to Species

Dichotomous Keys

  • Tools used to identify organisms through step-by-step choices
  • Leads to a single correct organism identification

Using Dichotomous Keys

  • Start with a question about the organism (e.g., 'Does it have fur?')
  • Follow the path based on the answer, until the identification of the organism

Cladograms

  • Show evolutionary relationships using shared traits
  • Organisms closer on the tree are more related, indicating a common ancestor

Biodiversity

  • Variety of life in an ecosystem
  • Includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity
  • Crucial for ecosystem stability and resilience

Genetic Diversity

  • Variety within a species (e.g., different dog breeds)
  • Important for the adaptability and survival of species

Deforestation Impact on Ecosystems

  • Destroys habitats, leading to a decrease in the number of species in an ecosystem
  • Negatively affects overall biodiversity

Virus Life Cycle

  • Lytic Cycle: Virus copies itself quickly and destroys the host cell
  • Lysogenic cycle: Viral DNA hides in the host and activates later

Miller-Urey Experiment

  • Simulated early Earth conditions and successfully produced amino acids
  • Amino acids are the building blocks of life

Types of Vaccines

  • Live attenuated (weakened virus)
  • Inactivated (dead virus)
  • mRNA vaccines (trigger an immune response)

RNA World Hypothesis

  • Suggests RNA was the first genetic material, predating DNA
  • Indicates a simpler form of life before more complex organisms evolved

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

  • Prokaryotes: Lack a nucleus and organelles, generally small, examples include bacteria
  • Eukaryotes: Have a nucleus and organelles, larger in size, and include plants and animals

Endosymbiosis Theory

  • Mitochondria and chloroplasts were once independent bacteria absorbed by a larger cell
  • Led to the evolution of eukaryotic cells

Archaea vs. Eubacteria

  • Archaea: Thrive in extreme environments, do not have peptidoglycan in their cell walls
  • Eubacteria: Found in normal environments, have peptidoglycan in their cell walls

Prokaryotic Reproduction

  • Reproduce through binary fission, a form of asexual reproduction
  • Can exchange DNA through conjugation

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