What is taxonomy?
Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms into groups based on similarities and evolutionary relationships.
What are the 7 major taxonomic ranks in order?
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
What is binomial nomenclature?
It is a system of naming organisms using two names: the genus and species (e.g., Homo sapiens).
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
What is the difference between the domains Bacteria and Archaea?
Both are prokaryotic, but Archaea often live in extreme environments, and their cell membranes differ chemically.
Which domain contains multicellular organisms?
Eukarya
What are the four kingdoms of domain Eukarya?
Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
What are the characteristics of organisms in the Kingdom Animalia?
Multicellular, heterotrophic, capable of movement, lack cell walls.
What are the characteristics of organisms in the Kingdom Plantae?
Multicellular, autotrophic (photosynthesis), have cell walls made of cellulose.
What are the characteristics of organisms in the Kingdom Fungi?
Mostly multicellular, heterotrophic, absorb nutrients, have cell walls made of chitin.
What are the characteristics of organisms in the Kingdom Protista?
Mostly unicellular, some autotrophic, some heterotrophic, diverse group including algae and protozoa.
What is a prokaryote?
An organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles (e.g., Bacteria and Archaea).
What is a eukaryote?
An organism whose cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plants, animals, fungi).
What is the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms?
Autotrophs produce their own food (e.g., plants), while heterotrophs consume other organisms for energy.
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
What is a genus?
A genus is a taxonomic category that ranks above species and includes closely related species.
What is a phylum?
A phylum is a taxonomic rank below kingdom, grouping together organisms that share a basic body plan or major features.
What is a class in taxonomy?
A class is a taxonomic rank below phylum, grouping organisms that share similar characteristics.
What is the largest taxonomic rank?
Domain
What taxonomic rank follows the family level?
Genus
What are vertebrates?
Vertebrates are animals with a backbone or spinal column.
What are invertebrates?
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone.
Who is the father of Taxonomy?
Car Von Linne/ Carolus Linnaeus
Give an example of an invertebrate phylum.
Examples: Arthropoda (insects, spiders), Mollusca (snails, clams).
What are the five main groups of vertebrates?
Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals
What are the characteristics of mammals?
Mammals have fur or hair, produce milk to feed their young, and are warm-blooded.
What are the characteristics of birds?
Birds have feathers, lay eggs, and are warm-blooded.
What are amphibians?
Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that live part of their life in water and part on land (e.g., frogs, salamanders).
What is the largest group of invertebrates?
Arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans).
What are arthropods?
Invertebrates with exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages (e.g., insects, spiders).
What are the characteristics of reptiles?
Reptiles are cold-blooded, have scaly skin, and lay eggs on land (e.g., snakes, lizards).
What is the main difference between vertebrates and invertebrates?
Vertebrates have a backbone, while invertebrates do not.
What are mollusks?
Mollusks are invertebrates with soft bodies, many of which have a hard shell (e.g., snails, clams).
Give an example of an invertebrate without a hard exoskeleton.
Examples: Earthworms (Annelida), Jellyfish (Cnidaria).
What are the characteristics of fish?
Fish are cold-blooded, live in water, breathe through gills, and have fins.
What are echinoderms?
Echinoderms are invertebrates with radial symmetry and a water vascular system (e.g., starfish, sea urchins).
What are cnidarians?
Cnidarians are invertebrates with stinging cells used to capture prey (e.g., jellyfish, sea anemones).
What are nematodes?
Nematodes are invertebrate roundworms, many of which are parasitic (e.g., hookworms).
What are annelids?
Annelids are segmented worms, such as earthworms and leeches.
What are cephalopods?
Cephalopods are mollusks with well-developed heads, tentacles, and highly developed nervous systems (e.g., octopuses, squids).
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