Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is Taxonomy?
What is Taxonomy?
the branch of biology that classifies organisms
What is phylogeny?
What is phylogeny?
the evolutionary relationships that exist between organisms
What is a kingdom?
What is a kingdom?
organism organized in groups
What is a species?
What is a species?
What is a phylum?
What is a phylum?
What is a division?
What is a division?
What are the Seven levels of classification?
What are the Seven levels of classification?
Who was the first to attempt a scientific classification of the organisms on Earth?
Who was the first to attempt a scientific classification of the organisms on Earth?
On what basis did this person classify living organisms?
On what basis did this person classify living organisms?
What is the system of naming that involves giving an organism a two-part name?
What is the system of naming that involves giving an organism a two-part name?
What are the two parts to binomial nomenclature?
What are the two parts to binomial nomenclature?
What language is the scientific name written in?
What language is the scientific name written in?
How is the classification process used by modern taxonomists different from the methods used by Linnaeus?
How is the classification process used by modern taxonomists different from the methods used by Linnaeus?
Why should the use of common names be avoided when classifying living organisms?
Why should the use of common names be avoided when classifying living organisms?
What is a molecular clock?
What is a molecular clock?
What is an example of a derived character?
What is an example of a derived character?
What is the evolutionary relationship between two organisms determined by?
What is the evolutionary relationship between two organisms determined by?
What is the system of classification that is based on shared derived characters?
What is the system of classification that is based on shared derived characters?
What is Eubacteria?
What is Eubacteria?
What is Archaebacteria?
What is Archaebacteria?
What is Protista?
What is Protista?
What is Plantae?
What is Plantae?
What is Fungi?
What is Fungi?
What is Animalia?
What is Animalia?
What is Domain Bacteria?
What is Domain Bacteria?
What is Domain Archaea?
What is Domain Archaea?
What is Domain Eukarya?
What is Domain Eukarya?
Why are 'catch-all' and 'odds and ends' appropriate nicknames for the Protista kingdom?
Why are 'catch-all' and 'odds and ends' appropriate nicknames for the Protista kingdom?
In what ways are the Archaebacteria different than the Eubacteria?
In what ways are the Archaebacteria different than the Eubacteria?
Why are the Fungi not placed in the plant kingdom?
Why are the Fungi not placed in the plant kingdom?
Why do the protists, fungi, plants, and animals share a domain?
Why do the protists, fungi, plants, and animals share a domain?
Which kingdoms contain only organisms that are multicellular?
Which kingdoms contain only organisms that are multicellular?
Which kingdoms contain only organisms that are heterotrophic?
Which kingdoms contain only organisms that are heterotrophic?
This part of the scientific name is always capitalized.
This part of the scientific name is always capitalized.
This term refers to the structure of an organism.
This term refers to the structure of an organism.
This kingdom contains the heterotrophic plants.
This kingdom contains the heterotrophic plants.
The most recent addition to the levels of classification; it is essentially a 'superkingdom'.
The most recent addition to the levels of classification; it is essentially a 'superkingdom'.
A diagram that uses derived characters to show the relationship among a group of organisms.
A diagram that uses derived characters to show the relationship among a group of organisms.
The evolutionary history of an organism.
The evolutionary history of an organism.
Kingdom to which the very ancient often extreme bacteria belong.
Kingdom to which the very ancient often extreme bacteria belong.
A system of naming that assigns each organism a two part name.
A system of naming that assigns each organism a two part name.
Swedish naturalist who developed the classification system we use today.
Swedish naturalist who developed the classification system we use today.
The system developed by Linnaeus was based on ____________ similarity.
The system developed by Linnaeus was based on ____________ similarity.
The original system of classification had only 2 kingdoms. What third kingdom was added in the late 1880s?
The original system of classification had only 2 kingdoms. What third kingdom was added in the late 1880s?
The second level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
The second level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
Domain to which the true bacteria belong.
Domain to which the true bacteria belong.
This part of the scientific name is always written in lower case letters.
This part of the scientific name is always written in lower case letters.
The fourth level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
The fourth level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
The _________ level are divisions of an order.
The _________ level are divisions of an order.
Scientist responsible for the theory of Natural Selection.
Scientist responsible for the theory of Natural Selection.
A phylum is divided in several ____________.
A phylum is divided in several ____________.
Kingdom to which the true bacteria belong.
Kingdom to which the true bacteria belong.
If two organisms can mate and produce fertile offspring, they are placed in the same ________.
If two organisms can mate and produce fertile offspring, they are placed in the same ________.
These structures are reduced in size and seem to be 'leftovers' from a previous ancestor.
These structures are reduced in size and seem to be 'leftovers' from a previous ancestor.
Greek philosopher who first tried to classify living organisms.
Greek philosopher who first tried to classify living organisms.
Term meaning that a cell possesses neither a nucleus nor membrane-bound organelles.
Term meaning that a cell possesses neither a nucleus nor membrane-bound organelles.
These structures are similar in function, but different in structure.
These structures are similar in function, but different in structure.
The branch of biology that classifies organisms and assigns each organism a universally accepted name.
The branch of biology that classifies organisms and assigns each organism a universally accepted name.
In the system developed by Linnaeus, how many kingdoms existed?
In the system developed by Linnaeus, how many kingdoms existed?
The highest, or broadest, level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
The highest, or broadest, level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
Currently, scientists are using a system that consists of how many domains?
Currently, scientists are using a system that consists of how many domains?
This kingdom contains mushrooms and molds.
This kingdom contains mushrooms and molds.
This kingdom contains all green, photosynthetic plants.
This kingdom contains all green, photosynthetic plants.
This kingdom contains organisms such as algae and the protozoa.
This kingdom contains organisms such as algae and the protozoa.
Organisms best suited for their environment will most likely survive, reproduce, and pass these traits on to their offspring. This is known as _______.
Organisms best suited for their environment will most likely survive, reproduce, and pass these traits on to their offspring. This is known as _______.
The greater number of _________ structures two organisms share, the more closely related they are thought to be.
The greater number of _________ structures two organisms share, the more closely related they are thought to be.
A family tree that shows the evolutionary relationships thought to exist among different groups of organisms.
A family tree that shows the evolutionary relationships thought to exist among different groups of organisms.
A model that uses DNA comparisons to estimate the length of time that two species have been evolving independently.
A model that uses DNA comparisons to estimate the length of time that two species have been evolving independently.
In the system developed by Linnaeus, how many levels of classification are there?
In the system developed by Linnaeus, how many levels of classification are there?
An organism that is placed at the bottom of a phylogenetic tree is the _______ of the organisms placed above it.
An organism that is placed at the bottom of a phylogenetic tree is the _______ of the organisms placed above it.
The organisms in this kingdom have no cell walls, no chloroplasts and are heterotrophs.
The organisms in this kingdom have no cell walls, no chloroplasts and are heterotrophs.
This kingdom contains thermophiles that can live in hot boiling water.
This kingdom contains thermophiles that can live in hot boiling water.
This kingdom contains bacteria such as strep and staph.
This kingdom contains bacteria such as strep and staph.
Domain to which all cells possessing nuclei and membrane-bound organelles belong.
Domain to which all cells possessing nuclei and membrane-bound organelles belong.
The sixth level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
The sixth level of classification in the system developed by Linnaeus.
A feature that evolved only within a particular group, such as feathers in birds.
A feature that evolved only within a particular group, such as feathers in birds.
Term meaning that a cell possesses a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Term meaning that a cell possesses a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Domain to which the very ancient and often extreme bacteria belong.
Domain to which the very ancient and often extreme bacteria belong.
Using _______, such as starfish or catfish, are very confusing and should be eliminated from scientific classification systems.
Using _______, such as starfish or catfish, are very confusing and should be eliminated from scientific classification systems.
What cellular characteristic is shared by the true bacteria and the archaea bacteria?
What cellular characteristic is shared by the true bacteria and the archaea bacteria?
All scientific names are written in this language.
All scientific names are written in this language.
These structures are similar in structure but different in function.
These structures are similar in structure but different in function.
This kingdom contains some organisms that are both animal-like and plant-like.
This kingdom contains some organisms that are both animal-like and plant-like.
The final level of classification.
The final level of classification.
The newest method of classification; it uses 'shared derived characters' to show evolutionary relationships.
The newest method of classification; it uses 'shared derived characters' to show evolutionary relationships.
Study Notes
Key Concepts in Taxonomy
- Taxonomy is the branch of biology that classifies organisms into structured groups.
- Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary relationships among organisms.
- The primary groups of classification include Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
Levels and Systems of Classification
- The seven levels of classification are essential for organizing biological diversity.
- Carolus Linnaeus pioneered scientific classification, initially categorizing organisms into two kingdoms: plants and animals.
- Binomial nomenclature is a two-part naming system that assigns each organism a unique scientific name, typically in Latin.
- The first part of the scientific name represents the genus, and the second part represents the species.
Characteristics of Living Organisms
- Modern taxonomy relies on various similarities, including morphology, biochemical, genetic, and embryological evidence, unlike Linnaeus's focus solely on morphology.
- Common names can be misleading, making precise scientific classification critical.
Domains and Kingdoms
- Organisms are classified into three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
- Each domain contains specific kingdoms, such as Eubacteria (true bacteria) and Archaebacteria (ancient bacteria).
- Protista is often viewed as a catch-all category for organisms not fitting into other kingdoms, including those that are plant-like and animal-like.
- Fungi are distinct from plants due to cell wall composition (chitin vs. cellulose), lack of chloroplasts, and heterotrophic nature.
Evolutionary Relationships
- Shared derived characters are traits that show evolutionary relationships and are crucial in cladistics, which classifies organisms based on these traits.
- Homologous structures are similar in structure but different in function, indicating common ancestry, whereas analogous structures are similar in function but differing in structure.
Additional Taxonomic Details
- The classification system includes various evolutionary trees and diagrams like cladograms and phylogenetic trees, illustrating relationships among organisms.
- The concept of having a molecular clock allows scientists to estimate the time frame in which species have evolved separately by analyzing DNA similarities.
- Derived characters, such as feathers in birds, evolve within specific groups and are key in determining relationships.
- The final level of classification is the species, representing organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Importance of Scientific Naming
- All scientific names are written in Latin, providing a universal language for classification.
- The use of "catch-all" and "odds and ends" reflects the diversity and complexity of the Protista kingdom.
Other Notable Information
- Vestigial structures are reduced remnants from ancestors, showcasing the evolutionary changes over time.
- Charles Darwin is credited with developing the theory of natural selection, which influences our understanding of evolution and species adaptation.
Summary of Organism Classification Characteristics
- Eubacteria: Prokaryotic, unicellular, both autotrophic and heterotrophic.
- Archaebacteria: Prokaryotic, unicellular, thrive in extreme environments, lack peptidoglycans.
- Protista: Eukaryotic, mostly unicellular, some colonial/multicellular, both autotrophic and heterotrophic.
- Plantae: Eukaryotic, multicellular, autotrophic.
- Fungi: Eukaryotic, mostly multicellular, heterotrophic.
- Animalia: Eukaryotic, multicellular, heterotrophic.
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Description
Explore the fundamental principles of taxonomy and the classification of living organisms. This quiz covers key concepts such as phylogeny, Linnaeus's classification system, and the characteristics of living organisms. Test your understanding of the levels of classification and binomial nomenclature.
