Taxonomy Basics Quiz

Taxonomy Basics

• Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms and assigning universally accepted names.
• Organisms are grouped based on shared features, indicating common ancestry.

Key Taxonomic Units

• Genus: Classification of species that share a common ancestor, e.g., Felis (domestica, negripes, margarita).
• Species: A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Cell Types

• Prokaryotes: Organisms without a nucleus.
• Eukaryotes: Organisms with a nucleus that contains DNA.

Tools for Identification

• A dichotomous key assists in identifying natural world items by presenting a series of choices leading to the correct name.

Classification Methods

• Evolutionary classification groups organisms based on their evolutionary history.
• Cladograms visually represent evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

• The taxonomic categories are organized from broad to specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Purpose of Classification

• Classification is essential for studying biological diversity and understanding evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Scientific Naming

• Scientific names are used to avoid confusion created by common names, which can vary across languages and regions.
• Binomial nomenclature refers to the system of naming species using a two-part format (genus and species), e.g., Canis lupus (italicized or underlined).

Linnaeus

• Carl Linnaeus (1707 - 1778) developed the system of naming organisms that is used today.

Domains and Kingdoms

• Three domains: Archaea (ancient bacteria), Bacteria (true bacteria), and Eukarya (organisms with nuclei).
• Six kingdoms: Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

Characteristics of Kingdoms

Animalia

• Multicellular, lack cell walls, and are heterotrophs (e.g., worms, insects, humans, giraffes).

Plantae

• Multicellular, cell walls made of cellulose, and are autotrophs (e.g., trees, grass, moss, Venus flytrap).

Fungi

• Can be unicellular or multicellular, have cell walls made of chitin, and are heterotrophs (e.g., mushrooms, yeast).

Protista

• Can be unicellular or multicellular, some live in colonies (e.g., amoeba, euglena, paramecium).

Distinctions of Bacteria

• Archaebacteria: Lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls.
• Eubacteria: Contain peptidoglycan in their cell walls.

Common Ancestors

• The mouse and chimp share a more recent common ancestor compared to the pigeon and chimp.

Organism Identification

• Duck: Identified in the key as having feathers and capable of swimming.
• Organisms with lungs: Include salamander, lizard, pigeon, mouse, and chimp.
• Only organism with feathers highlighted: Pigeon.
• Organisms with fur and mammary glands: Mouse and chimp.
• Organism with jaws but no lungs: Perch.
• Organism with no jaw: Hagfish.

Evolutionary Developments

• The study focuses on identifying morphological traits that emerged after certain species, like salamanders, evolved.