Scientific Naming & Rules
This system requires that every organism be identified using a two-part scientific name written in Latin
What is binomial nomenclature?
Organisms classified in the domain Eukarya all share this cellular feature
What is a nucleus?
An organism that is heterotrophic, lacks cell walls, and is multicellular belongs to this kingdom
What is Animalia
This is the primary factor scientists use when grouping organisms into taxonomic categories
What are shared characteristics?
This type of diagram is used to represent evolutionary relationships among organisms
What is a phylogenetic tree?
In the name Solanum tuberosum, this term identifies the broader grouping that includes closely related species
What is genus?
This characteristic distinguishes prokaryotic organisms from eukaryotic organisms at the cellular level
What is lack of membrane-bound organelles?
An organism with cell walls made of chitin and that absorbs nutrients belongs to this kingdom
Two organisms live in the same habitat but are classified differently. This shows that classification is NOT based on this
What is location (habitat)
Two species that branch from the same node share this evolutionary feature
What is a common ancestor?
A scientist writes “canis lupus” in lowercase. This error violates this rule of scientific naming, why?
genus must be capitalized
A scientist observes an organism with no nucleus but containing DNA. It would be classified in this domain group
What are Bacteria or Archaea
An organism that can switch between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition is most likely classified in this kingdom
What is Protista?
Modern classification systems rely heavily on this type of data to determine evolutionary relationships
What is DNA (genetic evidence)?
In classification, organisms that share a more recent common ancestor will show this pattern
What is greater similarity (genetic or structural)?
Two organisms share the same genus but different species. This indicates they share this level of relationship
What is closely related but not identical?
This classification level separates organisms based on fundamental cell structure rather than behavior or habitat
What is domain?
A student classifies an organism as Plantae based only on the presence of a cell wall. This conclusion is flawed because of this reason
What is multiple kingdoms have cell walls (not just plants)?
A scientist groups organisms based only on physical appearance. This method can be inaccurate due to this concept
What is convergent evolution?
A whale and a hippopotamus are grouped closely based on DNA evidence. This suggests this conclusion
What is they share a recent common ancestor?
Why is scientific naming preferred over common names when classifying organisms?
What is it provides a universal and standardized system that avoids confusion?
Why are viruses excluded from domain classification systems used for living organisms?
What is they are not made of cells and cannot reproduce independently?
Explain why reptiles are classified in Animalia instead of Plantae despite both being eukaryotic
What is reptiles are heterotrophic and lack cell walls while plants are autotrophic with cell walls?
Why is genetic data considered more reliable than physical traits when classifying organisms?
What is it reflects evolutionary relationships rather than superficial similarities?
Explain why homologous structures are important when determining evolutionary relationships
What is they indicate shared ancestry even if functions differ?