Reporting Category #3: Evolution and Classification
Classification Notes:
1. Taxonomy is the science of studying and classifying organisms.
2. Father of Taxonomy is Carrol Linneaus
3. Linneaus is father of taxonomy because he created the naming system still in use today:
Binomial Nomenclature
4. Binomial Nomenclature is a two word naming system. All organisms are named for the Genus
and species they belong. Ex: Homo sapiens…that is us!
Level of Classification
Silly sentence to remember order
Domain
Dumb
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
species
King
Phillip
Could
order
For
Great
Spaghetti
Largest and least specific
taxon
Most specific taxon
5. Taxon is the level/category of classification
6. If organisms are in the same species, then reproduction is not a problem. Viable offspring will be
produced.
7. If organisms are only in the Genus, then their offspring will be sterile. Sterile means unable to
produce babies.
8. Above the taxon of Genus, organisms may try to reproduce by the genetic differences are too
great so fertilization will not be possible. I like to think of this as Mother Nature’s check point.
9. Domains: Bacteria and Archae are prokaryotes. Remember Prokaryotes have no nucleus or
membrane bound organelles. The Domain Eukarya contains all organisms whose cells have a
nucleus.
10. Kingdoms
Bacteria
Archaebacteria Plant
Animal
Fungi
Protista
Prokaryote
Prokaryote
Eukaryote
Eukaryote
Eukaryote
Eukaryote
Ex: E.Coli
Live in
Autotroph
Heterotroph Heterotroph Autotroph or
Photosynthetic extreme
Have cell
No cell wall
Cell wall
Heterotroph
Or
environments. wall
Cell wall and
Chemosynthetic Ex: Methogens
some no cell
walls
11. The most important thing to remember about Bacteria and Archaebacteria is that the
Archaebacteria is older and can withstand extremes in salinity, pH, or temp.
12. Another important thing is that just because an organism has a cell wall does not make it a
plant. It can be a Fungi is it has a cell wall and is a heterotroph or it can be a Protist if has a cell
wall, microscopic and lives near water. Remember Protists can be either a heterotroph or
autotroph.
13. We have already reviewed the similarities and differences between Bacteria and Viruses in
Reporting category #1.
14. Key ideas to remember about Bacteria and Virus: for a more complete list see Reporting
Category #1: Cells and Cell Function
Bacteria
Virus
Can survive on own
Cannot survive on own
Do not need a host to reproduce
Must have a host to reproduce
Can be killed by antibiotics
Cannot be killed by antibiotics. Your white
Can be prevented by good hygiene and
blood cells are your best hope
vaccines
Can be prevented by good hygiene and
vaccines
Evolutionary Relationships
1. Darwin proposed the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
2. Natural Selection is the idea that those organisms best suited to survive and reproduce in their
environment will and those that are not will die.
3. Also seen as Survival of the Fittest
4. How do we know if organisms are related? The best evidence is looking at DNA, genes, or
proteins. Notice the pattern it is the genetic code that serves as the best evidence.
5. Homologous structures can be used to determine relationships if DNA is not available.
6. Homologous structures: structure with same bone design but outer appearance can be different
and so can the function. Ex: Human arm and a whale’s fin
I am going to define key vocabulary that will help you be more successful on your test
1. Invasive species: a species that is not native to an area but moves in and reproduces more
successfully than other species in the area. They create more of struggle for existence. Ex:
Pythons being released into Florida everglades
2. Divergent evolution-species is split into separate species. The separation can be due to the
various types of isolation that prevent them from reproducing together.
3. Speciation-the process of species separating from one another. Think of them becoming less
similar because they become 2 different species.
4. Geographic isolation- species separated by land masses or bodies of water causing them to no
longer be able to reproduce together so will become 2 separate species.
5. Behavioral isolation- a species separated due to some of the individuals no longer able to mimic
the behavior or showy behavior to attract a mate. They don’t know how to attract the attention
of mates within own species.
6. Temporal isolation- species become separated because of differences in fertility time. This is
more problematic for flowers.
7. Relative Frequency- the number of alleles in a population. This can be changed due to isolation,
mutation, disease, or change in environment leading to only survival of the fittest.
8. Convergent Evolution- idea that environmental pressures lead to organism that are not related
to look similar. Ex fish and dolphin. Not related but look similar because of environment.
9. Gradualism- evolution that is slow and steady
10. Punctuated equilibrium- gradual evolution interrupted by sudden changes in species
appearance.
It is a jungle out there how do organisms survive?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reproduce in large numbers
Reproduce often
Have a lot of genetic variation so disease cannot come in and wipe out an entire species
Eat a diversified diet. It an organism is picky they are more likely to have trouble surviving.
Example is the koala-only eat Eucalyptus plants so if that is not available they would die because
the dumb animal won’t eat anything else. UGH!!
5. Have the ability to adapt to new environments. If the organism only survives in a limited
environment then if that environment changes they may die.