Taxonomy and Classification of Living Things
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Questions and Answers

What is Taxonomy?

  • The study of human evolution.
  • A method for cooking food.
  • The classification of chemical elements.
  • The science of classifying organisms. (correct)

Who is the scientist that Taxonomy is based on?

Carl Linnaeus

What is a dichotomous key?

A tool that allows the user to determine the identity of items based on the items characteristics.

What are the three domains of life?

<p>Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can you use a dichotomous key to classify organisms?

<p>It can direct you to an organism based on the organism's characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many choices are in each step of a dichotomous key?

<p>Two</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the eight levels of classification?

<p>Domains, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest level of classification?

<p>Domains</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are Kingdoms in biological classification?

<p>A grouping system that divides organisms into 6 major categories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Class refer to in biological classification?

<p>A group of closely related orders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Phylum represent?

<p>A group of closely related classes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a Family in biological terms?

<p>A group of Genera that share many characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a Genus?

<p>A classification grouping that consists of a number of similar, closely related species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a Species?

<p>A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce offspring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Order refer to in biological classification?

<p>A group of closely related families.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is similar about all organisms in the same domain?

<p>They have some of the same characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is similar about all organisms in the same kingdom?

<p>They have even more characteristics that are the same.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Archaea?

<p>Prokaryotic, contains cell wall, unicellular.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Bacteria?

<p>Prokaryotic, unicellular, no nucleus, needs oxygen, thrives in damp areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Eukarya?

<p>Eukaryotic cells, contains nucleus, multicellular.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four kingdoms of Eukarya?

<p>Anamalia, Protista, Fungi, Plantae.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does prokaryotic mean?

<p>No nucleus found in the cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does eukaryotic mean?

<p>Cell contains a nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does unicellular mean?

<p>Made of one-celled/single-celled.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does multicellular mean?

<p>Made of many cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does autotrophic mean?

<p>Makes own food for energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic?

<p>Autotrophic organisms produce their own food, while heterotrophic organisms consume others for energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does heterotrophic mean?

<p>Eats another organism for energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms based on their shared characteristics. It uses a hierarchical system to identify and categorize all living things.

Carl Linnaeus

A Swedish botanist who established the foundation of our modern classification system.

Dichotomous Key

A tool used to identify organisms by guiding you through a series of choices based on observable characteristics. Each step presents two options, eliminating possibilities until you reach the correct identification.

Domains of Life

The three primary categories in the modern classification system. Each domain encompasses a major type of life with distinct characteristics.

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Using a Dichotomous Key

A key that helps you identify organisms by making a series of choices based on their characteristics. Each choice presents two options, leading you down a path until you reach the correct identification.

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Levels of Classification

The eight hierarchical levels in the classification system, ranging from the broadest to the most specific. They help us organize and understand the relationships between different organisms.

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Organism Similarities

Organisms belonging to the same domain share fundamental characteristics. As you move down the classification levels, organisms in the same kingdom, phylum, class, etc., display even more similarities.

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Characteristics of Archaea

Prokaryotes, lacking a nucleus, with a cell wall. Often found in extreme environments like hot springs and volcanic vents.

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Characteristics of Bacteria

Prokaryotes, lacking a nucleus, that exist in diverse environments, including our bodies.

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Characteristics of Eukarya

Organisms with cells containing a nucleus. They are often multicellular and include animals, plants, fungi, and more.

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Kingdoms of Eukarya

The four major kingdoms within the domain Eukarya, representing diverse groups of eukaryotic organisms.

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Prokaryotic

Cells that lack a nucleus. They are simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells.

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Eukaryotic

Cells that contain a nucleus. They are complex and organized, with multiple internal compartments.

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Unicellular

Organisms made up of a single cell.

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Multicellular

Organisms composed of multiple cells that work together to form tissues and organs.

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Autotrophic

Organisms that produce their own food for energy, typically through photosynthesis.

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Heterotrophic

Organisms that get their energy by consuming other organisms.

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Hierarchical Classification System

A system used to group organisms based on similarities and differences in their characteristics.

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Domain

The broadest and most inclusive level of classification, representing a fundamental type of life forms.

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Kingdom

A major grouping within a domain, containing organisms with shared characteristics.

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Phylum

A group of closely related classes within a kingdom, sharing a common ancestor.

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Class

A group of related orders within a phylum, characterized by a unique combination of features.

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Order

A group of related families within a class, sharing common traits and evolutionary history.

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Family

A group of related genera within an order, sharing a recent common ancestor.

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Genus

A group of closely related species, sharing a common ancestor and capable of interbreeding.

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Species

The most basic unit of classification, representing a distinct type of organism that can interbreed.

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Study Notes

Taxonomy

  • Science of classifying organisms based on similar characteristics.
  • Utilizes a hierarchical system to identify and categorize all organisms.

Carl Linnaeus

  • Developed foundational principles of taxonomy.
  • His work serves as the basis for modern classification systems.

Dichotomous Key

  • A tool that helps identify items through a series of choices based on characteristics.
  • Produces two options at each step to guide classification.

Domains of Life

  • Three primary domains: Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya.
  • Each domain represents a major category of life with distinct characteristics.

Using a Dichotomous Key

  • Guides users to classify organisms by their traits.
  • Only two choices are provided at each decision point.

Levels of Classification

  • Eight hierarchical levels: Domains, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
  • Helps organize organisms from broad to specific categories.

Organism Similarities

  • Organisms in the same domain share fundamental characteristics.
  • Organisms in the same kingdom display even more similarities.

Characteristics of Archaea

  • Prokaryotic structure, unicellular, with a cell wall.
  • Example: Pyrolobus Fumarii.

Characteristics of Bacteria

  • Prokaryotic, unicellular, lacks nucleus, requires oxygen.
  • Thrives in diverse environments; includes beneficial and harmful bacteria (e.g. strep, lactobacillus).

Characteristics of Eukarya

  • Composed of eukaryotic cells, which contain a nucleus and are predominantly multicellular.
  • Includes organisms such as animals, plants, fungi, protozoa, and algae.

Kingdoms of Eukarya

  • Four major kingdoms: Animalia, Protista, Fungi, Plantae.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic

  • Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.
  • Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus, differentiating them by complexity.

Unicellular vs. Multicellular

  • Unicellular means made of a single cell.
  • Multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells.

Autotropic vs. Heterotropic

  • Autotropic (or autotroph) organisms produce their own food for energy.
  • Heterotrophic (or heterotroph) organisms rely on consuming other organisms for energy.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of taxonomy, including the work of Carl Linnaeus and the use of dichotomous keys. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how living organisms are classified based on their characteristics and relationships. Perfect for students studying biology or life sciences.

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