Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

A level Biology > 4.3 classification and evolution > Flashcards

4.3 classification and evolution Flashcards

(56 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

define binomial system

A

system that uses the genum and species name when naming animals to avoid confusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why do we classify things?

A

for convenience
to make the study of things more manageable
to make it easier to identify things
to help see relationships between species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the classification hierarchy?

A

domain
kingdom
phylum
class
order
family
genus
species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define domain

A

highest taxonomic rank
eukaryotae, archea and eubateria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

define kingdom

A

there are 5 kingdoms
protoctista, eukaryota, plantae, animalia, fungi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

define phylum

A

groups species with similar body plans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

define class

A

organisms that possess similar traits such as number of legs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

define order

A

subdivision using additional information such as diet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

define family

A

group of closely related genera

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

define genus

A

group of closely related species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

why is the binomial naming system used

A

to avoid confusion

different species may have the same common name

or the same species may be called different common names in different areas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the biological definition of a species

A

organisms that can freely interbreed to produce fertile offspring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the phylogenetic definition of a species

A

group of individual organisms that are similar in biochemistry anatomy genetics and appearance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

explain why better microscopes lead to improved classification

A

better microscopes made it clear that many single celled organisms share features of both plants and animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

why were fungi difficult to classify

A

their hyphae grow into their surroundings similar to roots but they do not photosynthesise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

define autotrophic

A

absorb simple molecules and build them up into larger organic molecule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

define saprophytic

A

cause decay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

define heterotrophic

A

digest large organic molecules to form smaller molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

describe the prokaryotae kingdom

A

have no nucleus only a loop of free DNA
no membrane bound organelles
smaller that eukaryotes
may be free living or parasitic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

describe the protoctista kingdom

A

show a wide variety of forms and can display animal or plant like features such as nutrition
eukaryotic
mostly free living
mostly single celled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

describe the fungi kingdom

A

eukaryotic
have walls made of chitin
saprophytic nutrition
cytoplasm that is multinucleate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

describe the plantae kingdom

A

eukaryotic
multicellular
cellulose cell wall
contain chlorophyll
autotrophic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe the animalia kingdom

Study These Flashcards
A

eukaryotic
multi cellular
heterotrophic
usually able to move around

24
Q

define convergent evolution

Study These Flashcards
A

two unrelated species that adapt in similar ways and therefore look similar

25
why can biological molecules be used as evidence in classification?
certain large biological molecules are found in all living things two organisms with similar molecules will be closely related
26
what is cytochrome c
protein used in respiration
27
how can cytochrome c be used in classification
if the sequences are the same the two species are closely related if the sequences are different the organisms arent closely related
28
what other biological molecules can be used as evidence in classification
DNA
29
Describe why the three domain classification system was introduced
he divided the prokaryotae domain into archae and eubacteria as they were bothe significantly different
30
What are some differences between archeae and eubacteria
different cell membrane different enzymes for synthesising RNA different mechanisms for DNA replication
31
define phylogeny
study of evolutionary relationships between organisms
32
define artificial classification
based on only a few characteristics doesn't reflect evolutionary relationships provides limited information is stable
33
describe natural classification
uses many characteristics reflects evolutionary relationships changes with advancing knowledge provides useful info
34
define natural selection
the term used to explain how features of the environment apply a selective force on reproduction of individuals in a population
35
How did Wallace contribute to Darwins conclusion
He was a naturalist that came to the same conclusions as Darwin
36
What 4 observations did Darwin make
offspring generally appear similar to their parents no two individuals are identical populations in nature tend to remain fairly stable organisms have the ability to produce large numbers of offspring
37
What 3 conclusions did Darwin come to
there is a struggle to survive better adapted individuals survive and pass on their advantageous alleles to their offspring over time a number of changes gave rise to a new species
38
how were fossils evidence for evolution?
Showed that the world was inhabited by species that are different to those today old species have died out and new ones have arisen new species often appear similar to the old ones
39
how are biological molecules evidence for evolution
the fact that certain molecules are found throughout the living world two closely related species will have similar biological molecules biological molecules differ more between species that diverged a long while ago
40
define intraspecific variation
variation between members of the same species such as eye colour
41
define interspecific variation
variation between species
42
define continuous variation
variation where there are two extremes and a full range of intermediate values between them e.g. height in humans length of leaves in an oak tree
43
Define discontinuous variation
variation where there are distinct categories and nothing inbetween e.g. gender blood type
44
What are the causes of variation
genetic environmental
45
Describe genetic variation
the genes we inherit from our parents are used to provide information that define our characteristics and the alleles that we inherit are not the same as that in any other living thing our combination of characteristics is completely unique
46
Describe environmental variation
characteristic affected by our environment e.g. an overfed pet will become obese sun exposure can make a persons skin darker
47
What are the combined effects of genetic and environmental variation
not all our genes are active at any time and changes in the environment can affect which genes are active over the centuries the human population has become taller but if your family is short you will most likely remain short
48
define adaptation
characteristic that enhances survival in a habitat
49
What will a well adapted organism be able to do
find enough water and food defend itself from predators and disease respond to changes in its environment have sufficient energy to reproduce
50
define anatomical adaptations
anatomical structural features
51
give examples of anatomical adaptations
marram grass: long and wide roots curled leaves to reduce surface area lower epidermis covered in hairs low density of stomata thick waxy cuticle
52
define behavioural adaptations
the way an organisms behaviour is modified for survival
53
give some examples of behavioural adaptations
when touched the earthworm contracts and goes back to its burrow marram grass responds to a shortage of water by rolling its leaves
54
define physiological adaptations
affect the way processes work
55
give some examples of physiological adaptations
specialised hinge cells which roll marram grass leaves stomatal closure lignified cells in the leaves to maintain turgidity
56
what animal is an example of convergent evolution
marsupial and placental moles are both burrowing animals so they have adapted in similar ways and may look similar small eyes cylindrical body strong front legs with claws

A level Biology (25 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions