1.3 Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is a dichotomous key used for?
Categorizing and differentiating species.
How many choices are at each branching point in a dichotomous key?
Two choices.
What is the purpose of a dichotomous key?
To organize organisms into smaller subsets leading to a specific classification unit.
How are questions in a dichotomous key typically structured?
As statements or yes/no questions.
What type of answers do dichotomous key questions usually have?
Yes or no answers.
What is an important tip when constructing a dichotomous key?
Look for a category where only one species has a “yes” or “no” answer.
What does “Di” in dichotomous key mean?
Two.
What is the smallest classification unit that a dichotomous key typically identifies?
A species or specific taxon.
What is phylogeny?
The study of evolutionary history and relatedness among species.
How does a phylogenetic tree represent relationships?
By grouping species into clades based on common ancestors.
What is a clade in a phylogenetic tree?
A group that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants.
How does adding more characteristics affect a phylogenetic tree?
It makes the tree more accurate with fewer potential changes.
What is a major difference between a phylogenetic tree and a cladogram?
Phylogenetic trees show evolutionary history and timing, while cladograms do not.
What is an example of a surprising phylogenetic relationship?
Chickens are classified as dinosaurs.
Why were reptiles and amphibians once grouped together in taxonomy?
They were historically classified under “Herpetology” before more detailed analysis.
What has improved the accuracy of modern phylogenetic trees?
DNA analysis, evolutionary history, and additional morphology.
Why can a crocodile be considered more closely related to a koala than to a frog?
Because of shared evolutionary ancestry in the phylogenetic tree.
Why is a dichotomous key different from a phylogenetic tree?
A dichotomous key differentiates species, while a phylogenetic tree shows evolutionary relationships.
What do similar Genus names indicate in Binomial Nomenclature?
A close evolutionary relationship.
What is an example of a subspecies in taxonomy?
Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger).
What organizations regulate scientific naming conventions?
ICBN (plants, fungi, algae) and ICZN (animals).
Who discovered Archaea and proposed the Three Domains of Life?
Carl Woese.
What are the three domains in Woese’s classification system?
Eukarya, Bacteria, Archaea.
How did Woese discover Archaea?
By studying microorganisms in extreme environments.
