4: GENETICS - CLASSIFICATION

Question 1

What is phylogeny?

Answer 1

the study of the evolutionary history of groups of organisms

Question 2

What is the name of the diagram showing how organisms evolved from common ancestors?

Answer 2

a phylogenetic tree

Question 3

What is taxonomy?

Answer 3

• the science of classification
• involves naming organisms and organising them into groups which makes it easier to identify and study them

Question 4

What are animals classified using?

Answer 4

• gene/DNA sequence
• courtship behaviours
• common characteristics (behaviour, physiology, anatomy)
• evolutionary origins, evolutionary relationships and common ancestors
• immunological comparisons

Question 5

What are the 8 levels of taxa?

Answer 5

• domain
• kingdom
• phylum
• class
• order
• family
• genus
• species

Question 6

What are the 3 domains?

Answer 6

• eukarya
• bacteria
• archaea

Question 7

Why is there no overlap between taxa?

Answer 7

each organism only fits into 1 of each group

Question 8

What is a species?

Answer 8

a group of similar organisms that can reproduce to give fertile offspring

Question 9

What is the binomial system?

Answer 9

• nomenclature used to name organisms based on their classification
• 1st part is the genus and has a capital letter
• 2nd part is the species and has a lowercase letter
• written in italics/underlined if written

Question 10

What is the binomial name for humans?

Answer 10

Homo sapiens

Question 11

Why do organisms have courtship behaviours?

Answer 11

• necessary precursor to successful mating
• attracts mate of the right species (species recognition)
• prevents interbreeding
• ensures successful reproduction

Question 12

What are some examples of courtship behaviours?

Answer 12

• releasing chemicals (eg: pheromones)
• sound
• visual displays
• dancing
• building

Question 13

What would be the impact on courtship behaviour if there were fewer individuals of a species in an certain area?​

Answer 13

• less courtship behaviour
• less breeding
• less successful reproduction