Classification

Question 1

What is the basic definition of a species?

Answer 1

A group of similar organisms that can breed to produce fertile offspring

Question 2

What are 3 features of the binomial naming system?

Answer 2

• it is universal (used by scientists globally)
• the first name (generic name) denotes the GENUS
• the second name (specific name) denotes the SPECIES

Question 3

Which of the words is written with a capital letter when naming species using the binomial system?

Answer 3

the genus (first word)

Question 4

What are 3 ways two organisms from the same species may be similar?

Answer 4

• physically
• biochemically
• behaviourally

Question 5

What are 5 ways courtship behaviour can enable successful mating?

Answer 5

it enables individuals to:
- recognise members of their own species
- identify a mate that is capable of breeding/sexually mature
- form a pair bond
- synchronise mating
- become able to breed

Question 6

What is the basic definition of classification?

Answer 6

the grouping of organisms

Question 7

What is taxonomy?

Answer 7

the theory and practice of biological classification

Question 8

what are the 2 main types of classification?

Answer 8

artificial and phylogenetic

Question 9

How does courtship behaviour show similarity in the genetics of 2 organisms?

Answer 9

the more similar the courtship behaviour, the more closely related the two organisms

Question 10

What are three features of phylogenetic classification?

Answer 10

• based on evolutionary relationships
• classifies species using shared features derived from ancestors
• arranges groups into a hierarchy

Question 11

What is a hierarchy?

Answer 11

smaller groups arranged within larger groups, with no overlap

Question 12

What is a taxon?

Answer 12

a group within a phylogenetic classification

Question 13

Give 3 characteristics of Bacteria

Answer 13

• no membrane-bound organelles
• unicellular
• cell walls made of murein
• single loop of ‘naked’ DNA

Question 14

Give 3 ways Archaea differ from bacteria

Answer 14

• no murein in cell walls
• membranes contain fatty acid chains attached to glycerol
• genes and protein synthesis is more similar to eukaryotes

Question 15

Give 3 features of Eukarya

Answer 15

• contain membrane-bound organelles
• membranes contain fatty acid chains attached to glycerol
• IF contain cell wall, doesn’t contain murein
• larger (80S) ribosomes