Classification and Evolution Flashcards

1
Q

Define classification.

A

The process of naming and organising organisms into groups based on their characteristics.

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

Name the eight groups an organism can be classified into, from largest to smallest.

A

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

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

What are the two components to a binomial name?

A

Generic name= the genus the organism belongs to. Two closely related species will share the same genus.
Specific name= the species the organism belongs to.

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

What is the advantage of the binomial naming system?

A

It is universal; an organism’s binomial name is the same everywhere in the world.

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

Name the five kingdoms and three domains.

A
Kingdoms= Prokaryote, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
Domains= Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryota
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How are organisms classified into a kingdom?

A

Based on similarities in observable characteristics.

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

How was the domain system of classification developed?

A

By analysing molecular differences between organisms to determine their evolutionary relationships (phylogeny).

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

What is the difference between classification and phylogeny?

A

Classification is simply sorting organisms into groups. Phylogeny investigates the evolutionary relationships between organisms.

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

Explain how natural selection results in evolution.

A

● Random mutations result in new alleles.
● Some alleles provide an advantage against
selection pressures, making an individual more
likely to survive and reproduce.
● Their offspring receive the new allele, and are
said to have ‘evolved’ a new characteristic.

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

How did Darwin and Wallace contribute to the theory of evolution?

A

Observed that birds have many different beak shapes. Concluded that birds with beak shapes most suited to the food they eat are more likely to survive and therefore pass this beak shape onto their offspring.

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

Give other evidence for the theory of evolution.

A

● Fossils= allows us to compare extinct organisms to today’s organisms.
● Genomic DNA= sequencing of genomes have shown how closely related we are to primates.
● Molecular= proteins are composed of the same 20 amino acids in all organisms.

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

What causes variation?

A

● Genetic= mutations, random fertilisation, etc.

● Environmental= climate, diet, culture, etc.

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

Differentiate between intraspecific and interspecific variation.

A

● Intraspecific= variation within the same species.

● Interspecific= variation between different species.

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

Differentiate between continuous and discontinuous variation.

A

● Continuous= variation exists as gradual changes over a range e.g. height, root length.
● Discontinuous= variation exists as distinct categories e.g. blood group, bacteria shape.

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

Why might we calculate a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient?

A

To measure correlation between two variables, i.e. the extent to which changing one variable affects the other variable.

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

Explain how Spearman’s rank results are interpreted.

A

Closer to 1= more positive correlation.

Closer to -1= more negative correlation. Around 0= no correlation.

17
Q

What are three types of adaptation? Give examples of each.

A

● Anatomical (changes to body structure) e.g. oily fur.
● Physiological (changes to bodily processes) e.g. venom production.
● Behavioural (changes to actions) e.g. hibernation.

18
Q

Why might organisms from different taxonomic groups show similar features?

A

Marsupial moles and placental moles live in different continents, but share similar anatomical features because they adapted to similar environments.

19
Q

Give some implications of evolution for humans.

A

● Bacterial antibiotic resistance means infections are harder to treat.
● Pesticide resistance means entire crops could be destroyed.