The Variety of life Flashcards
What is classification
It is the science of placing organisms into categories on the basis of their observable characteristics
Why is classification important
1) Conservation
2) Understand evolutionary relationships
3) Identify living organisms easier
Explain conservation
Scientists need to be able to identify different organisms in habitats which are being managed and they need to control which organisms are used in breeding programs
Explain “Understanding evolutionary relationships”
Organisms which have many of the same features are normally descended from common ancestors. The more features shared by different organisms the more recently they separated from one another during evolution.
Who are taxonomists
People who study classification and groups organisms into categories according to certain characteristics.
What is a classification key
A classification key is a series of questions that determine an organism’s physical characteristics.
What are the two traditional methods of classification
Morphology and Anatomy
What are the five main kingdoms
1) Plants
2) Fungi
3) Animals
4) Prokaryotes/ Monera
5) Protists
What are the five main kingdoms grouped on
1) Cell structure
2) Body organisation
3) Mode of nutrition
4) Reproduction
Which of the kingdoms are prokaryotes
Prokaryote/ Monera
Which of the kingdoms are eukaryotes
1) Animals
2) Plants
3) Fungi
4) Protists
What are eukaryotic cells
Cells that have a distinct nucleus containing the cell’s genetic material
What are prokaryotic cells
Prokaryotic cells don’t have a nucleus and have free-floating genetic material instead
What distinguishes animals from the other kingdoms
They feed on organic molecules
What does the hierarchy of classification consist of
Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species
