Classification (Biology)

Question 1

What is classification?

Answer 1

The organisation of organisms into groups.

Question 2

What is taxonomy?

Answer 2

The classification of organisms into taxa: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Question 3

What is the order of the classification hierarchy? (7)

Answer 3

King (kingdom)
Phillip (phylum)
Came (class)
Over (order)
For (family)
Grape (genus)
Soda (species)

Question 4

Name the 5 kingdoms.

Answer 4

• Animals
• Plants
• Fungi
• Protists
• Prokaryotes

Question 5

What happens to the number of organisms in each taxon as you move down the hierarchy?

Answer 5

The number of organisms in each taxon group decreases.

Question 6

Traditionally, organisms were grouped based on similarities and differences in their anatomy and behaviour. What is the problem with this?

Answer 6

• Organisms that are not closely related may look alike and behave similarly if they live in the same environment e.g. sharks and dolphins.
• Some closely related species may look very different if they live in different habitats e.g. queen ants, worker ants.

Question 7

What advancements in science have led scientists to reconsider the five kingdoms classification system?

Answer 7

• Microscopes
• Biochemistry
• DNA and RNA analysis

Question 8

Describe the three domains system of classification.

Answer 8

• Organisms are initially divided into an extra three groups: Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya.
• Domain: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Question 9

Which domain do eukaryotic organisms belong to?

Answer 9

Eukarya

Question 10

Which domains do prokaryotic organisms belong to?

Answer 10

Archaea and bacteria

Question 11

Describe the domain Bacteria.

Answer 11

Consists of true bacteria e.g. E.coli

Question 12

Describe the domain Archaea.

Answer 12

• Consists of primitive microorganisms.
• Contains extremophiles - adapted to live in extreme conditions e.g. hot springs