Species and taxonomy

Question 1

Define species.

Answer 1

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Question 2

What are the advantages of courtship behaviour?

Answer 2

Individuals can recognise sexually mature members of their own species of the opposite sex, synchronise mating, form a pair bond, and successfully breed.

Question 3

Define classification.

Answer 3

The process of arranging organisms into groups.

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Domain –> kingdom –> phylum –> class –> order –> family –> genus –> species.

Question 5

What system is used to give species a universal name?

Answer 5

Binomial naming system.

Question 6

What are the two components to a binomial name?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

How are binomial names handwritten?

Answer 7

The first letter of the generic name should be capitalised, with the rest lower case. The whole name should be underlined.

Question 8

What is phylogenetic classification?

Answer 8

The process of arranging organisms into groups based on their evolutionary origins and relationships.

Question 9

How can we clarify evolutionary relationships between organisms?

Answer 9

Analyse their molecular differences. Advances in immunology / genome sequencing provide clear pictures of how related two organisms are.

Question 10

Explain hierarchical classification.

Answer 10

• Groups within groups.
• No overlap between groups.