Taxonomy

Question 1

What is taxonomy

Answer 1

Taxonomy is the classifying of species into hierarchy of taxa (groupings) so that
each species has a universal name around the world.

Question 2

what is Binomial Nomenclature

ex?

Answer 2

Binomial Nomenclature ➜ a system of naming organisms by using two names, the genus name and the species name.

Example: Castor canadensis ➜ castor meaning “beaver” and
canadensis meaning “from Canada”.

Question 3

how does the naming thing work or what is genus and species

Answer 3

The first name is the genus and the second is the species
Genus ➜ a class of things with common characteristics
Species ➜ group of organisms that can interbreed naturally and produce viable offspring

Question 4

important note, what is always italicized and what is capitalized

Answer 4

The genus and species are ALWAYS italicized, and the genus is
capitalized, where the species is not! Also, once the full binomial
nomenclature name has been written once in a piece of work, you
can use the initial for the genus afterwards (i.e. C. canadensis)

Question 5

what is the highest level of taxa

Answer 5

domain

Question 6

read

Answer 6

the highest level of taxa used to be Kingdom, however, studies of ribosomal
RNA (rRNA) lead to discovery of huge differences amongst prokaryotic cells
(cells with no true nucleus)
 as a result, the scientist responsible for the research, Carl Woese, added an
eighth level for taxonomic classification, Domain

Question 7

what are the three domains

Answer 7

1. (Eu)Bacteria ➜ “true” bacteria, prokaryotes that have no organized
   nucleus and no membrane bound organelles.

➜ contains the Kingdom of Eubacteria

2. Archaea ➜ “ancient” bacteria which are also prokaryotic, but live in

extreme environments
➜ contains the Kingdom of Archaebacteria

3. Eukaryota ➜ single-celled and multicellular organisms which all have their

DNA contained in a nucleus.
➜ contains the Kingdoms of Protista, Fungi, Animalia and Plantae

Question 8

the six kingdoms of living things

Answer 8

1. Eubacteria ➜ A group of prokaryotic (lack nuclei) microorganisms (microscopic)

that live in a wide variety of environments and
reproduce asexually. They also can cause diseases.
Examples: bacteria, cyanobacteria

2. Archaebacteria ➜ A group of prokaryotic microorganisms distinct from

Eubacteria that possess an unusual cell wall structure and that
thrive in harsh environments such as salt lakes and thermal
vents
Examples: methanogens, extreme thermophiles

3. Protista ➜ Mostly single celled, can be autotrophs or heterotrophs (or both), live in aquatic or moist habitats
   Examples: algae, protozoa
4. Fungi ➜ A group of organisms that are plant-like but lack chlorophyll.

They produce spores and feed on organic matter.
Examples: moulds, yeast, mushrooms, toadstools

5. Plantae ➜ A group of multicellular organisms that are mostly autotrophs, and

can reproduce sexually or asexually. Most are terrestrial.
Examples: mosses, ferns, conifers, flowering plants

6. Animalia ➜ In general they are multicellular, heterotrophs (feed by consuming
   other organisms) that are capable of locomotion and responsive to
   their environment.
   Examples: sponges, worms, lobsters, dogs, humans

Question 9

what is phylogeny

Answer 9

the history of evolution of organisms

Question 10

what is a dichotomous key

Answer 10

a series of choices that lead to new branches of the key, and the end result is
the correct name of the organism being identified.