3.4.5 species and taxonomy

Question 1

what is a genus?

Answer 1

a small group of similar (closely related) species.

Question 2

what is a species?

Answer 2

unique to that group, specific.

Question 3

what is the biological species concept?

Answer 3

group of individuals that can reproduce to produce living and fertile offspring.

Question 4

what enables successful reproduction?

Answer 4

1) compatibility.
- genetically compatible (i.e. two games fuse to make a diploid organism).
- anatomical.

2) courtship behaviours.
- showing an individual is capable of breeding (sexually mature and fertile).
- showing they have beneficial alleles.
- species recognition of opposite sex/same species.
- synchronised mating (correct stage in fertility cycle).
- forming a pair bond.

Question 5

what are the observable characteristics of species?

Answer 5

• physiology.
• anatomy.
• DNA/RNA sequencing.
• amino acid sequencing.
• behaviours.

Question 6

what is the issue with the evidence needed for the biological species concept?

Answer 6

• SEXUAL DIMORPHISM, identified as a different species.
• SKELETONS TOO SIMILAR, missing information & fossils only partially preserved.
• NON-LIVING SPECIMENS missing behaviours.
• MIMICY species that look very similar to other species and harmless species look similar to harmful species, avoiding predation.

Question 7

why might scientists struggle to observe the biological species concept?

Answer 7

• as practicality of observing breeding and fertility of next generation is hard.
  > particularly in the wild or for longer lived species.

Question 8

what are the two factors of classification?

Answer 8

1) phylogenetic = arranges species into groups based on evolutionary relationships.

2) hierarchy = smaller groups within larger groups.
= no overlapping between groups.

Question 9

what are the groups called?

Answer 9

taxons

Question 10

what is the hierarchy and mnemonic for classification?

Answer 10

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

delicious king prawn curry or fat greasy sausages

Question 11

what do phylogenetic trees show?

Answer 11

the common ancestors.

Question 12

what are courtship behaviours?

Answer 12

set of behaviours which enable individuals to identify fertile members of their own species to maximise the chance of successful mating.