Taxonomy > prelims > Flashcards

prelims Flashcards

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1
Q

is the science of identifying, naming, and classifying organisms into groups based on
shared characteristics.

A

Taxonomy

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2
Q

What is taxonomy?

A

The science of identifying, naming, and classifying organisms into groups based on shared characteristics

Major components include identification, nomenclature, and classification.

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3
Q

What are the major components of taxonomy?

A
  • Identification
  • Nomenclature
  • Classification
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4
Q

What is the goal of taxonomy?

A

To organize and name organisms in a consistent, standardized way.

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5
Q

What is systematics?

A

A broader scientific discipline that studies the diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships.

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6
Q

What are the goals of systematics?

A
  • Discover and describe biodiversity
  • Reconstruct evolutionary relationships (phylogenetics)
  • Classify organisms in a way that reflects evolutionary history
  • Develop identification tools
  • Provide a framework for comparative biology, ecology, and conservation
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7
Q

How does systematics differ from taxonomy?

A

Systematics is broader and includes taxonomy, focusing on evolutionary relationships and diversity.

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8
Q

What tools are commonly used in systematics?

A
  • Morphological data
  • Molecular data
  • Bioinformatics
  • Cladistics
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9
Q

What is a phylogenetic tree?

A

A diagram that shows evolutionary relationships based on common ancestry.

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10
Q

What does the term ‘clade’ refer to?

A

A group of organisms descended from a common ancestor.

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11
Q

What is cladistics?

A

A method for grouping organisms based on shared derived traits.

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12
Q

What type of classification does systematics usually use?

A

Usually evolutionary/phylogenetic classification.

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13
Q

What is the historical context of taxonomy?

A

Taxonomy has its roots in the work of Carl Linnaeus, who developed the binomial nomenclature system.

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14
Q

What is the relationship between taxonomy and systematics?

A

Taxonomy is a sub-discipline of systematics, and systematics uses the framework provided by taxonomy.

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15
Q

What importance does systematics have in biodiversity conservation?

A

Helps identify species that are evolutionarily unique or at risk.

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ is the branch of biology that deals with the study of biological diversity and evolutionary relationships among organisms.

A

Systematics

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17
Q

What is the main focus of systematics?

A

Understanding evolutionary relationships and diversity.

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18
Q

What are the major components of systematics?

A
  • Taxonomy
  • Phylogenetics
  • Cladistics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biogeography
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19
Q

What is the significance of morphological traits in taxonomy?

A

They are primarily used for identifying and classifying organisms.

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20
Q

True or False: Systematics only uses morphological traits for classification.

A

False

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21
Q

What does the term ‘node’ represent in a phylogenetic tree?

A

A common ancestor.

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22
Q

What is molecular systematics?

A

The use of molecular data (DNA/RNA) to study evolutionary patterns.

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23
Q

What is the main product of taxonomy?

A

Scientific names, classification systems, identification keys.

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24
Q

What is the significance of paleontology in systematics?

A

Provides evidence of extinct species and their characteristics.

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25
How does systematics relate to ecology?
It helps ecologists understand biodiversity, niche relationships, and species interactions.
26
What is bioinformatics?
The use of software tools to analyze large-scale molecular data.
27
What type of data is primarily used in systematics?
* Morphological traits * Molecular data * Genetic data * Ecological data * Fossil data
28
What is the role of statistical models in systematics?
They are used for rigorous testing of evolutionary hypotheses.
29
What is the Scala Naturae?
A linear ranking of organisms from simplest to most complex introduced by Theophrastus.
30
Fill in the blank: __________ provides the evolutionary context for species distribution in biogeography.
Systematics
31
What is the significance of genetic data in systematics?
It helps study evolutionary relationships and build phylogenetic trees.
32
What does the term 'outgroup' refer to in a phylogenetic analysis?
A taxon outside the group of interest used for comparison.
33
What is the main focus of evolutionary biology?
Understanding how traits evolve over time.
34
What is the relationship between systematics and medicine?
Systematics helps identify organisms with useful traits and informs medical research.
35
What is the importance of systematics in agriculture?
Identifies relatives of medicinal or crop species for potential use.
36
True or False: Systematics is an isolated science.
False
37
What is the contribution of mathematics in systematics?
Provides analytical tools for tree construction and model testing.
38
Who classified over 500 plant species based on form and use?
Theophrastus ## Footnote Often called the father of botany.
39
What is the Scala Naturae?
A linear ranking of organisms from simplest to most complex ## Footnote Introduced by Theophrastus.
40
During which period did classification remain largely philosophical and religious?
Medieval Period (5th–15th Century) ## Footnote Knowledge preserved mainly in Islamic and monastic texts.
41
What was a key characteristic of classification during the Renaissance and Pre-Linnaean Era?
Shift from artificial to more natural classifications based on observed similarities.
42
Who defined species as groups of organisms capable of producing fertile offspring?
John Ray (1627–1705) ## Footnote Attempted to classify plants based on multiple characteristics.
43
What classification system did Carl Linnaeus introduce?
Binomial nomenclature (Genus + species) ## Footnote Also established a hierarchical classification system.
44
List the hierarchical classification levels introduced by Linnaeus.
* Kingdom * Phylum * Class * Order * Family * Genus * Species
45
What is Carl Linnaeus often referred to as?
The Father of Modern Taxonomy.
46
What major concept did Charles Darwin propose in 'On the Origin of Species'?
Common descent and natural selection.
47
What did Ernst Haeckel create?
The first evolutionary trees (phylogenies).
48
What term did Julian Huxley coin?
"Evolutionary Systematics".
49
What is Phenetics, and who pioneered it?
A classification system based on overall similarity, pioneered by Sokal and Sneath.
50
True or False: Phenetics often ignored evolutionary relationships.
True.
51
Who developed Cladistics?
Willi Hennig (1913–1976).
52
What are shared derived characters in Cladistics called?
Synapomorphies.
53
What is the aim of Cladistics?
Classify organisms based strictly on evolutionary lineage.
54
What key innovations emerged in the Molecular and Genomic Era?
* DNA sequencing * Molecular clocks * Computational phylogenetics
55
What is DNA barcoding used for?
Species identification.
56
What large-scale projects are associated with modern systematics?
* Tree of Life Project * Encyclopedia of Life * Open Tree of Life
57
What does modern systematics integrate?
Molecular data, bioinformatics, and evolutionary theory.
58
Summarize the conclusion of the history of systematics.
A journey from simple, observable classifications to a data-rich, evolution-driven science.
59
What role does systematics play in biology?
Understanding the tree of life, biodiversity, and evolutionary relationships.
60
What are Angiosperms?
Seed-producing vascular plants characterized by: * Flowers (reproductive organs) * Fruits (mature ovaries that protect seeds) * Double fertilization * Endosperm formation in seeds ## Footnote They comprise about 300,000+ species, representing ~90% of all plant species.
61
What was the historical basis of angiosperm classification?
Based on morphological traits such as: * Flower parts * Leaf arrangement ## Footnote Today, molecular phylogenetics is the most accurate method.
62
What are the primary types of DNA used in modern angiosperm phylogeny?
Uses: * Chloroplast DNA (e.g., rbcL, matK genes) * Nuclear DNA (e.g., 18S rRNA) * Mitochondrial DNA * Whole-genome analysis ## Footnote These methods provide a more accurate depiction of evolutionary relationships.
63
What are the two major groups in traditional angiosperm classification?
Monocotyledons (Monocots) and Dicotyledons (Dicots) ## Footnote This classification was found to be paraphyletic.
64
What is the APG System?
A modern phylogenetic classification developed by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) that: * Is based on DNA sequence data * Uses cladistics to reflect evolutionary relationships * Recognizes monophyletic groups only * Avoids traditional class-based ranks ## Footnote First version: APG I (1998), most recent: APG IV (2016).
65
What are the characteristics of Basal Angiosperms?
They are: * The earliest diverging lineages * A small group of primitive flowering plants ## Footnote Examples include Amborella trichopoda and Nymphaeales.
66
What defines Monocots?
Characteristics include: * One cotyledon * Parallel venation * Scattered vascular bundles * Floral parts in multiples of 3 * Fibrous root systems ## Footnote Major families include Poaceae (grasses) and Orchidaceae (orchids).
67
What distinguishes Eudicots from Monocots?
Eudicots have: * Two cotyledons * Net-like venation * Ringed vascular bundles * Floral parts in multiples of 4 or 5 ## Footnote Major clades include Rosids and Asterids.
68
What are Rosids?
A large and diverse clade of Eudicots that includes: * Roses * Legumes * Grapes ## Footnote Economically important families include Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Brassicaceae.
69
What are Asterids?
A group of Eudicots characterized by: * Fused petals ## Footnote Major families include Asteraceae (sunflowers) and Solanaceae (nightshades).
70
What is the significance of understanding angiosperm phylogeny?
It: * Reveals evolutionary history and divergence of plant lineages * Improves plant taxonomy * Guides research in various fields * Informs molecular studies * Helps trace the evolution of key traits ## Footnote Key traits include flowers, fruit, and vascular tissue.
71
What are future directions in angiosperm phylogeny?
Future directions include: * Use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) * Comparative genomics * Incorporating fossil records * Phylogenomics ## Footnote These approaches aim to explore the evolution of traits more accurately.
72
Fill in the blank: Angiosperm phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history and relationships among _______ plants.
[flowering]
Taxonomy
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