ECO1 - Taxonomy

Question 1

What is taxonomy?

Answer 1

Taxonomy is the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms.

Question 2

Who is Carl Linnaeus and why is he important?

Answer 2

Carl Linnaeus is known as the “Father of Taxonomy.” He created a system for naming, ranking, and classifying organisms, including binomial nomenclature, which is still widely used today.

Question 3

What are the three domains of life?

Answer 3

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Question 4

Describe the domain Bacteria.

Answer 4

• Single-celled, prokaryotic (no nucleus)
  • Cell walls contain peptidoglycan
  • Live in a wide range of environments

Question 5

Describe the domain Archaea.

Answer 5

• Single-celled, prokaryotic
  • Cell walls do not contain peptidoglycan
  • Often extremophiles (e.g., halophiles, thermophiles, acidophiles)

Question 6

What are extremophiles?

Answer 6

Organisms that live in extreme environments, such as high heat (thermophiles), high salt (halophiles), or high acidity (acidophiles).

Question 7

Describe the domain Eukarya.

Answer 7

• Eukaryotic (cells have a nucleus)
  • Can be unicellular or multicellular
  • Divided into 4 kingdoms: Protists, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia

Question 8

What are the 4 kingdoms of Eukarya?

Answer 8

Protists, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

Question 9

Describe the Protist kingdom.

Answer 9

• Uni- or multicellular
  • Can be autotrophs, heterotrophs, or decomposers.

Question 10

Describe the Fungi kingdom.

Answer 10

• Uni- or multicellular
  • Decompose to get nutrients
  • Sessile (do not move).

Question 11

Describe the Plantae kingdom.

Answer 11

• Multicellular, sessile
  • Have cell walls and chloroplasts (can photosynthesize)
  • Complex organisms with specialized cells.

Question 12

Describe the Animalia kingdom.

Answer 12

• Multicellular, most motile
  • No cell walls
  • Complex organisms with specialized cells.

Question 13

What is the hierarchy of biological classification from broadest to most specific?

Answer 13

Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species.

Question 14

What is a mnemonic device to remember the taxonomic ranks?

Answer 14

“Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup.”

Question 15

Which taxonomic level includes more organisms: Family or Class?

Answer 15

Class (because it’s broader).

Question 16

If two organisms are in the same order, which other ranks must they also share?

Answer 16

They must also share the same class, phylum, kingdom, and domain.

Question 17

Which two organisms are most closely related: One in the same family or One in the same genus?

Answer 17

The ones in the same genus, because it is more specific than family.

Question 18

What is binomial nomenclature?

Answer 18

A two-part naming system for organisms using their genus and species names.

Question 19

What are the formatting rules for binomial nomenclature?

Answer 19

• Entire name is italicized
  • Genus is capitalized
  • Species is lowercase

Example: Homo sapiens.

Question 20

Why use binomial nomenclature? (3 reasons)

Answer 20

1. Globally recognized naming system
2. Helps identify and compare organisms
3. Shows evolutionary links and simplifies data collection.

Question 21

What is a dichotomous key?

Answer 21

A tool used to identify organisms based on a series of yes/no questions about traits.

Question 22

What type of traits should be used in a dichotomous key?

Answer 22

Traits that are observable and unchanging, such as structure or reproduction methods (not color, size, or behavior).

Question 23

How does a dichotomous key work?

Answer 23

By splitting organisms into two groups at each step based on specific traits, progressing from general to specific.