Chapter 17 Learning Targets

Question 1

Summarize the basic history of classification

Answer 1

Aristotle 384-822 BC: Divided living things into plants and animals and then subdivided these things
Linnaeus mid 18th century: Developed the binomial system of nomenclature to classify living organisms

Question 2

Explain what a “Scientific Name” is

Answer 2

It is the most literal name for an animal, and it is written as genus + specific epithet

Question 3

Explain why having a scientific name is important

Answer 3

1. Common names will vary globally
2. Languages will vary
3. That organism may have different names throughout the world
4. Whatever the organism is named, it MUST have a Latin ending
5. Similar to the need of everything being in metric, its just universal

Question 4

Define “Dichotomous key” and explain how they work

Answer 4

A dichotomous key is a time line that divides living organisms into smaller and smaller groups while still getting specific characteristics

Question 5

Describe the types of evidence used in systematics

Answer 5

• Fossil Record Data
• Comparative Anatomy/Development
• Molecular data

Question 6

Describe what phylogeny is

Answer 6

Phylogeny is a process that relies on fossil record data, comparative anatomy/development, and molecular data to determine evolutionary history and relationships

Question 7

Describe how phylogenies are visually constructed

Answer 7

They can be constructed as a phylogenetic tree indicating a common ancestor as well as the organism that gave the rise to the new group (node)