3.4.5 - species and taxonomy

Question 1

Define species

Answer 1

capable of breeding to produce fertile offspring

Question 2

What is the role of courtship behaviour?

Answer 2

allows animals to recognise members of their own species so they can identify a mate capable of successful breeding - more likely to pass on alleles

Question 3

How can courtship behaviour be used to classify species?

Answer 3

behaviours are species specific - more closely related = more similar courtship behaviours

Question 4

Define phylogenetic classification

Answer 4

arranges species into groups (taxon) based on…
1. evolutionary history
2. hierarchy - no overlap between groups
3. grouping is based on common features (anatomy, fossil records, DNA)

Question 5

What does a phylogenetic tree show?

Answer 5

shows shared common ancestors - shows how closely related organisms are

Question 6

Define artificial classification

Answer 6

divides organisms based on differences useful at the time - colour, size, shape
- analagous characteristics (same function but not the same evolutionary origins)

Question 7

List the taxanomic ranks

Answer 7

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Question 8

What is the binomial naming system?

Answer 8

universal naming system
- genus and species

must be written in italics or underlined

Question 9

What are the issues with defining a clear species?

Answer 9

• there is variation within species (eg dog breeds)
• some species rarely reproduce sexually - so don’t know if they can produce fertile offspring
• populations of organisms can become isolated and be classified as different species