Questions – Introduction to Taxonomy
Name ______________________________
Period _______
Define each of the following terms:
1. Taxonomy –
2. Prokayotic cells –
3. Binomial nomenclature –
Name the 3 major Domains into which all living things are divided.
1.
2.
3.
Which of the Domains above have organisms with prokaryotic cells?
When classifying organisms, you divide them into groups based on __________________ and
_______________________. Everything that is alike goes in one pile, and those that are not like
them go in a ____________________ pile.
Name the 6 Kingdoms into which all living things are classified.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Which classification group has more organisms in it, an order or a genus?
In which classification group are the organisms more closely related, a family or a phylum?
Which classification group has fewer organisms in it, an order or a class?
Using you laptop, look up the genus-species name for each of the following organisms. BE SURE
TO WRITE THE NAMES IN THE CORRECT FORMAT for binominal nomenclature.
1. Cheetah –
2. Red oak tree –
3. Bald eagle –
4. Purple cone flower –
5. Wolf –
Using a taxonomic key:
A taxonomic key always starts at #1 and gives you two choices. You choose the choice that is
correct for the organisms you wish to key out, and then follow where the key tells you to go.
Below is a taxonomic key for classifying certain fruits.
1a. has a core
1b. does NOT have a core
Go to 2
Go to 3
2a. has red skin
2b. has a green skin
Red apple
Green pear
3a. is yellow on the outside
3b. is NOT yellow on the outside
Banana
Go to 4
4a. has a soft skin
4b. has a hard skin/rind
Grape
Go to 5
5a. is red inside
5b. is orange inside
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
You are going to use the key to classify specific fruits. To do this, you write down the number and letter
choice you make each step of the way until you get to the name of the fruit. For instance, to key out a
cantaloupe, you would write: 1b (does not have a core), 3b (is not yellow on the outside), 4b (has a hard
skin) and 5b (is orange inside)
Cantaloupe = 1b, 3b, 4b, 5b
Now you do each of the following:
Banana =
Green pear =
Watermelon =
Grape =
Red apple =