TOPIC 4 - species and taxonomy

Question 1

define species.

Answer 1

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

Question 2

what is courtship behaviour?

Answer 2

Courtship in animals is a behaviour that eventually results in mating and reproduction.

Question 3

What are courtship rituals and some examples of courtship rituals?

Answer 3

• sequence of actions are unique to each species, to identify with own species to reproduce with.
  -most courtship rituals are performed by males
  -dance moves
• sounds
• display of colourful feathers

Question 4

What are the advantages of courtship behaviour?

Answer 4

-Individuals can recognise sexually mature members of their own species of the opposite sex.
- Synchronises mating behaviour = indicates sexually mature and in season.
- pair bonds can be formed to ensure survival of offspring
- to choose a strong and healthy mate

Question 5

how does courtship behaviour show how similar species are?

Answer 5

Individuals of the same species will do the same courtship behaviour.

Question 6

define classification?

Answer 6

the process of arranging organisms into groups

Question 7

name 8 groups in the classification hierarchy, from largest to smallest.

Answer 7

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

Question 8

what system is used to give species a universal name?

Answer 8

Binomial naming system

Question 9

what are the two components to a binomial name?

Answer 9

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

Specific name = the species the organism belongs to

Question 10

How are binomial names hand written?

Answer 10

genus name - capital 1st letter
species name - no capital

whole name should be underlined

Question 11

what is phylogenetic classification?

Answer 11

the process of arranging organisms according to evolutionary origins and relationships.
Tells us whom and how closely related they are

Question 12

What does the phylogenetic tree show?

Answer 12

All organisms have evolved from shared common ancestors.

Question 13

How can we classify evolutionary relationships between organisms?

Answer 13

-Analyse their molecular differences
- DNA sequence and mRNA sequence can be analysed
-amino acid sequence
-advances in immunology sequencing provide clear pictures of how related two organisms are.

Question 14

Explain hierarchical classification?

Answer 14

Smaller groups arranged within larger groups.
No overlap between groups.