2015 Answer Key to Classification Study Guide (Questions to be similar)
1. Taxonomy: List the 8 levels (taxa) of classification from broadest to most specific:
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
2. List five kingdoms of life, with one characteristic and one example of each:
Name of Kingdom
Characteristic
Example
Bacteria
Simple, no nucleus
Simple, with nucleus
e. coli
algae
Complex, with chloroplast and does
photosynthesis
Decomposers that secrete digestive juices
onto the objects they are on
Consumers, complex organisms
Bibb lettuce
Protists
Plantae
Fungi
Mushroom
`Lions, and tigers and bears!
Animalia
3. There are different ways that the Domains and Kingdoms obtain energy. Explain what different ways are,
and which kingdom or domain applies that particular method:
Energy method
Description of method
From sulfur vents deep in ocean, elsewhere
Domain/Kingdom using method
Archea
Makes energy using photosyntheses
Plantae
Eats others, whether of the same kingdom or of
others
Secretes digestive fluids outside its body to break
down its food source
Animalia
Sulfur
Sunlight
Consumption
by ingestion
Consumption
by
decomposition
Fungi
4. Define the term binomial nomenclature, explain its use, and provide two examples with common name
as well as binomial nomenclature name:
Definition: A two-word and unique name for each organism, the first being Genus, and the second being
species. Both words are usually in Latin.
Use: Let’s people use the SAME name for an organism, without regard to what the local name is in a
particular country or region. So the scientific name is the standard name.
Examples: Narcissus poeticus = daffodil
Felis catus = cat
5. What are the major reasons why a system of classification makes sense in Life Science? Let’s us make
some sense out of the hundreds of thousands of organisms. Let’s us better understand the relationship
between organisms, and how they evolved. Let’s us make much better predictions for organisms.
7. Complete a branching diagram showing the six organisms (o) pictured below in the appropriate location,
with the appropriate 5 adaptations along the branch.
Finch
Lizard
Feathers
Salamander
Eel
Claws
Lungs
Jaws
hagfish
salamander
Wormlike hagfish
eel
Finch
Lizard
Adaptations: Claws, feathers, jaws, lungs,
8. Compare and contrast Linnaean taxonomy to Cladistic taxonomy, to include two specifics where the two
systems would differ in classification.
Compare: both classify organisms for many purposes.
Contrast: Traditional Linnaean relies on similarities in appearance and function of organisms, while
Cladistic relies on evolutionary progress. Birds and reptiles are examples of how they come out with
different classifications. For the traditional Linnaean approach, the birds are in a totally different
category from reptiles. For the cladistics approach, since birds evolved from reptiles, they are in the same
broad clade.
9. Be prepared to make a dichotomous key similar to the one done in class.