Biology > Classification & Evolution > Flashcards

Classification & Evolution Flashcards

(59 cards)

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1
Q

What is a species

A

Group of organisms able to breed to produce fertile living offspring

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2
Q

What does classification do

A

Organises organisms into groups based on similarities

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3
Q

What does classification allow scientists to do

A

Identify new species
Study evolutionary relationships
Understand shared traits and adaptations
Share research globally to identify links with organisms on other continents

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4
Q

State the taxonomic system

A

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

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5
Q

Name the 3 domains

A

Bacteria
Archaea
Eukaryotic

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6
Q

What are the 4 kingdoms in the Eukarya domain

A

Plantae
Animalia
Protoctista
Fungi

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7
Q

What does the binomial name consist of

A

Genus and species

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8
Q

Name the 5 kingdoms

A

Plantae
Animalia
Prokaryotae
Protoctista
Fungi

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9
Q

Which kingdoms have membrane bound organelles

A

All but prokaryotae

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10
Q

Which kingdoms have cell walls

A

Plantae
Prokaryotae
fungi
(Protoctista)

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11
Q

What is the plant cell wall made of

A

Cellulose

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12
Q

What is the prokaryote cell wall made of

A

Peptidoglycan

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13
Q

What is the fungi cell wall made of

A

Chitin

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14
Q

Nutrition type of Plantae

A

Autotrophic

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15
Q

Nutrition type of Animalia

A

Heterotrophic

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16
Q

Nutrition type of prokaryote

A

Auto/hetero

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17
Q

Nutrition type of Protoctista

A

Auto/hetero

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18
Q

Nutrition type of fungi

A

Saprophytic

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19
Q

What two separate kingdoms does the 3 domain system split prokaryotae into

A

Eubacteria (in bacteria domain)
Archaebacteria (in archaea domain)

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20
Q

Characteristics of domain bacteria

A

Prokaryotic unicellular organisms
Distinct cel membrane lipids
Have peptidoglycan in cell walls
Unique RNA polymerase enzyme

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21
Q

Characteristics of domain archaea

A

Prokaryotic unicellular organisms
Have histones (gene/protein synthesis similar to eukarya)
No peptidoglycan
More complex form of RNA polymerase

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22
Q

Characteristics of domain eukarya

A

All have nuclei and membrane bound organelles

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23
Q

What is phylogeny

A

Classification based on evolutionary relationships between organisms and their ancestors, showing how closely related they are to

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24
Q

Advantages of phylogenetic classification

Study These Flashcards
A

Produces continuous tree that doesn’t force organisms into specific taxonomic groups where they don’t fit
No overlap between groups produced

25
What evidence does modern taxonomy used to determine phylogeny
Molecular comparisons (eg cytochrome C) Development studies (embryonic differences/similarities) Anatomical examinations (physical characteristic comparisons) Behavioural analyses
26
Who proposed theory of evolution by natural selection
Darwin Wallace
27
What key evidence from the fossil record supports evolution
Simple bacteria and algae fossils are found in oldest rocks, progressing to more complex vertebrates in newer rocks Plant fossils appear before those of animals that feed on these plants, indicating natural order of evolution
28
Why is the fossil record incomplete
Many organisms decompose before they can fossilise Fossilisation is uncommon & requires specific conditions for organism to be preserved Over time lost due to erosion/geological processes Many organisms not yet discovered Soft bodied = less likely to fossilise = gaps in record
29
How does comparative anatomy provide evidence for evolution
Homologous structures (physical features in different species with similar underlying structure but different functions) Organisms who share homologous structures = likely to have common ancestors and adapted these structures for different functions Homologous structures = evidence for divergent evolution (organisms evolve adaptive traits as occupy ecological niches)
30
Which molecules are useful in studying evolutionary links
Cytochrome C Ribosomal RNA Nuclear/mitochondrial DNA mRNA Amino acids
31
How is cytochrome C a useful molecule to study evolutionary links
Highly conserved protein - slight changes help identify evolutionary links
32
How is ribosomal RNA a useful molecule to study evolutionary links
Integral to protein synthesis so changes slowly - shows connections between species that diverged long ago
33
How is nuclear/mitochondrial DNA a useful molecule to study evolutionary links
Species more closely related will have more similar DNA sequences
34
How is mRNA a useful molecule to study evolutionary links
Base sequences are complementary to DNA so can assess DNA diversity
35
What is the hypothesis of neutral evolution
States that most variability in molecule’s structure doesn’t affect its function
36
Define variation
Differences observed among individuals within any given population
37
What are the sources of genetic variation
Mutations Meiosis Random fertilisation Random mating
38
What are the environmental factors which can cause variation
Light Nutrient/food availability Temp Rainfall Soil conditions PH
39
What are polygenes
Different genes at different loci that contribute to particular aspect of phenotype (can act together to produce observable variation)
40
What is continuous variation
When there are a range of values between to extremes without distinct categories, which produce a spectrum of phenotypes E.g., variation in milk yield among cows
41
Is continuous variation affected by genes or environment
Both
42
What is discontinuous variation
Features clear, distinct categories with no intermediates E.g., human blood types
43
Is discontinuous variation caused by genes or environment
Genes
44
What is intraspecific variation
Variation that occurs within species
45
What is inter specific variation
Variations occur between different species
46
What are the conditions for the student t-test
Data must be continuous & normally distributed Variances of populations should be equal Samples must be independent of each other
47
What is the students t test used for
To determine if there is a sig diff between mean values of particular variable across 2 populations
48
How do you conduct a t test
1. State null hypothesis (no sig diff between means) 2. Calculate t test 3. Calculate degrees of freedom (n1+n2-2) 4. Compare calculated t statistic against critical value
49
If the t test is greater than the critical value do you accept or reject the null hypothesis
Reject - means are significantly different
50
How is spearman’s rank calculated
1. Convert data into ranks from smallest to largest 2. If 2 values same for 1 variable give average 3. Determine difference in ranks (d) for each pair of variables 4. Square differences 5. Sum up al squared rank distances 6. Use formula given to calculate
51
What are adaptations
Inherited characteristics that enhance an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in specific environment
52
What are the 3 categories of adaptations
Anatomical - physical Behavioural - activities/responses Physiological - internal bio functions
53
What is convergent evolution
Occurs when unrelated species develop similar traits as they adapt to similar environmental challenges
54
What are selection pressures
Environmental factors that affect survival and reproduction
55
Give examples of selection pressures
Predation Comp for resources Climate change Disease
56
Define fitness
Organisms ability to survive and reproduce
57
What is genetic diversity
Total no of diff alleles in a population
58
Process of natural selection
Variation in characteristics within species More genetic variation emerges within population due to random mutations Individuals with alleles that code for advantageous traits more likely to survive and reproduce Advantageous alleles passed down to offspring Over time, beneficial alleles become more common in population due
59
How does anti biotic resistance occur through natural selection
Some bacteria develop random mutations that provide resistance to antibiotics When antibiotics used, only resistant bacteria survive Resistant bacteria reproduce, passing on resistant alleles to offspring Over time, proportion of resistant alleles increases leading to mostly resistant bacteria
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