Essential Biology 5.5: Classification
Sources to use: Allot text (p205-210), Click4Biology, Class presentations, The Habitable Planet
(http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/)
1. Define taxonomy.
a classification of groups based on origin and structure.
2. In the table below, list the seven levels in the hierarchy of taxa and design an acronym to help
you remember them. Using two examples from different kingdoms give all seven levels.
Hierarchical level
Most
diverse
Kingdom
Phylum
Most
Specific
ACRONYM
King
Phillip
PLANT Example:
ANIMAL Example:
Moss
Jellyfish
Ginko
Spiders
Class
Came
Plantae
Mammilla
Order
Over
Pine Trees
Carnivora
Family
For
Sunflower Family
Hummingbird Family
Genus
Great
Porifera Genus
Canis Lupus
Longleaf Pine
Hybrid animals
species
Sandwiches
3. Define species.
a taxonomic group that can interbreed.
4. In the space below, explain how the Linnean binomial system of nomenclature works, paying
attention to formatting conventions.
Eschericia colià
Gram negative bacteria that is found in the lower intestine of mammals.
E. coli
in humans can cause serious food poisoning.
Homo sapiens the scientific term for humans- generated from the
ape family.
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Essential Biology 5.5: Classification
5. Distinguish between heterotrophy and autotrophy. Which feeding method is represented by the
Kingdom Plantae and which by the Kingdom Animalia?
Autography is the process in which a species can make its own food while heterotrophy is when
the specie (humans) can't make their own food and have to get it from another source.
6. Distinguish between the following phyla of plants, using external characteristics. Give examples.
Bryophytes- simplest of plants and generally small, 15-20 cm in height, and most reproduction is
asexual.
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Essential Biology 5.5: Classification
Filicinophytes- ferns, they reproduce by spores, and are less than 1 inch in diameter.
Coniferophytes- needle like leaves, reproductive system is similar to a flower; there are male and female
cones.
Angiospermophytes- seed bearing plant.
7. Have a go at using a dichotomous key here:
http://www.scenicoregon.com/webanic/pages/animals.html
8. Distinguish between the following phyla of animals, using external recognition features and
giving examples. Check your answers here: http://www.scenicoregon.com/webanic/pages/map.html
Stephen Taylor
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.5: Classification
9.
Distinguish between these terms:
Radial symmetry
a form of symmetry .
that is arranged around
a centre.
vs
Bilateral symmetry
vs
Asymmetrical
symmetry on a vertical plane. a lack of symmetry.
Motile
vs
Sessile -ability to move independently while sessile
means permanently attached to something.
10. Design and apply a dichotomous key to distinguish between these Queensland shark species:
Stephen Taylor
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Essential Biology 5.5: Classification
11. Look at the species names for the sharks in the chart.
a. Which of the following pairs is most closely related?
A. Black Tip Reef Shark and
White Shark
B. Grey Reef Shark
and
Shortfin Mako
C. Grey Reef Shark
and
Winghead
D. Creek Whaler
and
Black Tip Reef Shark
b. Explain your answer to a.
because they both have the same genus.
c. Which of the following is/are true for the Great Hammerhead and Scalloped
Hammerhead?
i. They are two subspecies of the same species
A.
B.
C.
D.
ii.
They are two species in the same genus
iii.
They are members of the same order
iv.
They are from different phyla
i only
i and ii
ii and iii
iv only
d. Which of the following is/are true of all of the sharks in the chart?
i.
They are members of the same species
ii.
They are part of the same genus
iii.
They are part of the same class
iv.
They are part of the same kingdom
B. i only
C. i and ii
D. ii and iii
E. iii and iv
Stephen Taylor
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com