Classification and Dichotomous Keys Study Guide
Genus
A classification grouping that consists of a number of similar, closely related species. 2nd most specific level.
Why do we use a dichotomous key?
A dichotomous key allows us to identify organisms based on characteristics.
Species
A group of organisms that are physically similar and can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce.
Autotroph
An organism that can make it's own food
Heterotroph
An organism that can not make it's own food
Eukaryote
An organism whose cells contain nuclei or nucleus
Prokaryote
An organism whose cells lack a nucleus and some other cell structures.
Organism
Any living thing
What are the pair of contradictory statements in a dichotomous key called?
Couplets- one is accepted one is rejected
What does dichotomous mean?
Divided in two
What are the 8 steps to classification Broadest to most specific? Hint: the first step is domain
Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genius Species
What kingdom do mushrooms belong to?
Fungi
What is the first name of the 2 word naming system called?
Genus
Who was Carolus Linneaus?
He had a 3 kingdom classification system consisting of plants, animals, and minerals. He came up with the two word naming system.
Why do humans belong to the animal kingdom?
Humans belong in the animal kingdom because we have backbones, give birth, produce milk, have hair, opposable thumbs, etc.
What can a dichotomous key be used for?
Identifying living and non-living things. (It is mostly used in biology to identify living things but can be written to identify anything)
Explain why scientists classify organisms.
It makes it easier to identify organisms based on their characteristics.
Name the 6 kingdoms
Plantae Protista Fungi Animalia Eubacteria Archeabacteria
If an organism cannot be identified as a plant, animal or fungus, what kingdom would the organism belong in?
Protists
Who was Aristotle?
The first person to create a classification system, dividing things into two categories: plants or animals.
Spontaneous generation
The mistaken idea that living things arise from nonliving sources.
Classification
The process of grouping things based on their similarities.
Taxonomy
The scientific study of how living things are classified.
Binomial nomenclature
The system for naming organism in which each organism is given a unique, two-part scientific name.
What characteristics describe the Eukarya Domain?
They are eukaryotes, they do have a nuclear membrane and include the kingdoms: protista, fungi, animalia, and plantae
What characteristics describe the Archaea Domain?
They are prokaryotes and have no nuclear membrane. Ex. Archaebacteria
What characteristics describe the Bacteria Domain?
They are prokaryotes and have no nuclear membrane. Ex. Eubacteria
Who are Woese and Fox?
Two scientists who came up with the three domain system we currently use.
Cell
basic unit of structure and function in an organism.
Multicellular
many cells
Unicellular
single cell
