Classification

Question 1

What is a genus?

Answer 1

A small group of similar (closely related) species

Question 2

What is a species?

Answer 2

Unique to that group of similar closely related species

Question 3

What is the internationally accepted scientific name in Latin that has 2 parts?

Answer 3

First part of the name (genus- has a capital letter)
Second part of the name- (species- lowercase letter)

Question 4

How are names written?

Answer 4

In italics or underlined if handwritten

Question 5

What does successful reproduction include?

Answer 5

Compatibility
Courtship behaviour

Question 6

What does compatibility consist of?

Answer 6

Genetically-e.g. 2 gametes make a diploid organism
Anatomical (+ physiological)

Question 7

When is courtship behaviour carried out by organisms?

Answer 7

To attract a mate of the right species

Question 8

Courtship behaviour being species specific?

Answer 8

Only members of the same species will do and respond to that courtship behaviour
Allows members of the same species to recognise eachother which prevents interbreeding and makes reproduction more successful- mating with the wrong species wont produce fertile offspring

Question 9

Can courtship behaviour be used to classify organisms?

Answer 9

The more closely related species are, the more similar their courtship behaviour

Question 10

Examples of courtship behaviour?

Answer 10

Male peacocks show off their colourful tails- that tail pattern is only found in peacocks
Male butterflies use chemicals- only the correct species responds

Question 11

What is phylogeny?

Answer 11

The study of the evolutionary history of groups of organisms

Question 12

What does phylogeny show?

Answer 12

Shows us who’s related to whom and how closely related they are to

Question 13

Homologous characteristics?

Answer 13

Similar structures
Originated from the same ancestors

Question 14

Analogous characteristics?

Answer 14

have common form

Question 15

Taxonomy?

Answer 15

The science of classification- involves naming organisms and organising them into groups

Question 16

Hierarchy order?

Answer 16

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

Question 17

How are the groups arranged in the hierachy?

Answer 17

Largest groups at the top- smallest groups at the bottom
Organisms can only belong to one group at each level in the hierarchy

Question 18

Definition of species?

Answer 18

A group of similar organisms able to reproduce to give fertile offspring

Question 19

4 pieces of evidence for evolutionary relationships?

Answer 19

1) observable characteristics
2) DNA sequence
3) mRNA sequence
4) amino acid sequence

Question 20

Which observable characteristic is best for distringuishing between similar specs?

Answer 20

DNA sequence as DNA has most variation within a gene (silent mutations)

Question 21

Which is best for studying evolutionary relationships between classes or phylum>

Answer 21

Amino acid sequence as amino acid sequence has fewest differences

Question 22

What can genome sequencing be used to determine?

Answer 22

The entire base sequence of an organisms DNA

Question 23

What can the DNA base sequence then be compared to?

Answer 23

The DNA base sequence of another organism to see how closely related they are

Question 24

Comparing amino acid sequence:

Answer 24

Related organisms have similar DNA sequences and so similar amino acid sequences in their proteins

Question 25

Immunological comparisons?

Answer 25

Similar proteins will also bind to the same antibodies

Question 26

Courtship behaviour definition

Answer 26

A behaviour that results in mating to enable species recognition

Question 27

Define hierarchical

Answer 27

Larger groups containing smaller groups with no overlap

Question 28

How has DNA analysis been useful in taxonomy?

Answer 28

DNA analysis can be used to assess which organisms are closely related as closely related organisms will have similar DNA sequences

Question 29

Why can DNA analysis of extinct species be challenging?

Answer 29

DNA is fragile/can break down easily

Question 30

2 kinds of short-term observation taxonomists could make to distinguish between 2 species?

Answer 30

Physical features e.g. appearance Behavioural differences e.g. feeding patterns

Question 31

Why can comparisons of DNA sequences give more data about evolutionary relationships than amino acid sequences in proteins?

Answer 31

There are 3 DNA bases for every one amino acid

Question 32

3 different methods scientists could use to determine if the 2 animals are different species

Answer 32

Compare their phylogeny Compare homologous features Look at fossil records

Question 33

What are the 3 principles taxonomists use when classifying organisms into different groups?

Answer 33

Organise into a hierarchical system Common features e.g. DNA The groups reflect their evolutionary history

Question 34

Describe 1 similarity and 1 difference between a phylogenetic system and a simple hierarchy

Answer 34

Both involve large groups that are divided into smaller groups with no overlap A phylogenetic system is based on evolutionary history- simple hierarchy is based on shared characteristics

Question 35

How does courtship behaviour prevent mating between different species?

Answer 35

Each species has a unique courtship ritual which allows individuals to identify a member of the opposite sex of their own species

Question 36

Describe how immunological comparisons can be used to identify the closest living relative of humans

Answer 36

A protein such as serum albumin can be taken from a human This protein sample is injected into a rabbit which produces antibodies against the protein The antibodies are extracted from the rabbit and mixed with serum from other species thought to be closely related to humans A precipitate forms if the antibody binds to the protein and the mass of the precipitate can be compared

Question 37

Gene pool definition?

Answer 37

All the alleles in a breeding population at one time