NES Biology > Taxonomy & Classification > Flashcards

Taxonomy & Classification Flashcards

Compare traits of organisms across kingdoms and describe key plant and animal organ systems, including feedback and immune responses. (83 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

What is taxonomic classification?

A

Method of organizing different species of life on Earth.

Taxonomic classification uses ranked categories that become more specific until the last level of species is reached.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who is considered the father of modern taxonomy?

A

Carolus Linnaeus

He developed the binomial nomenclature and hierarchical classification system that underlies modern taxonomy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

According to Linnaeus’ original system of classification, what are the seven main taxonomic levels?

A
  • Kingdom
  • Phylum
  • Class
  • Order
  • Family
  • Genus
  • Species

Remember the mnemonic King Philip Came Over For Good Spaghetti.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

In the modern biological classification system, what is the highest taxonomic level added above Kingdom?

A

Domain

The modern hierarchy is: Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

List the four kingdoms under the domain Eukarya.

A
  • Plantae
  • Animalia
  • Fungi
  • Protists
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which phylum includes jellyfish and hydras?

A

Cnidaria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What phylum are flatworms classified in?

A

Platyhelminthes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Earthworms and related species fall under which phylum?

A

Annelida

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What phylum includes marine mollusks like octopuses, squids, bivalves, snails, and slugs?

A

Mollusca

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which phylum is the largest and includes all insects?

A

Arthropoda

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What phylum includes all organisms with a backbone?

A

Chordata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the most specific taxon in the classification system?

A

Species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is used to identify organisms and includes the genus and species name?

A

Binomial nomenclature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the three domains in the classification system?

A
  • Archaea - includes all archaea
  • Bacteria - contains all eubacteria
  • Eukarya - contains all plants, animals, fungi, and protists
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the taxa used today from most broad to most specific?

A
  • Domain
  • Kingdom
  • Phylum
  • Class
  • Order
  • Family
  • Genus
  • Species
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Which phylum includes sea sponges and most sessile aquatic life?

A

Porifera

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the two domains of prokaryotic organisms?

A
  • Archaebacteria
  • Eubacteria
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the genetic relationship of Archaea to the Eukarya domain?

A

Archaea are more closely related to the Eukarya domain rather than the bacteria domain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the size range of archaea?

A

About 1-10 microns.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How do archaea reproduce?

A

Asexually, using binary fission.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is unique about the plasma membrane of archaea?

A

It can be a monolayer rather than a bilayer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What structures allow archaea to attach to surfaces?

A
  • Pili
  • Cannulae

Pili also allow for the transfer of genetic information among archaea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What structure creates movement in archaea cells?

A

A rigid round filament called a flagellum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How are archaea cells powered for movement?

A

By ATP.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How do **phototrophs** obtain energy?
Pull energy from the **sunlight**.
26
What is the **process** called when archaea **break down simple chemicals** like inorganic compounds for energy?
Lithotrophs
27
Where can archaea be **found in abundance**, playing a huge role in nutrient cycling?
* Among living organisms * Plankton * Soils * Bodies of water
28
What is the role of archaea in **plants**?
* Assisting with nutrient cycling. * Supporting plant stress responses. * Facilitating interactions between bacteria and the host organism.
29
What is the outcome of Methanogenic archaea **reducing carbon dioxide**?
Producing methane.
30
What is the domain of prokaryotic organisms that **bacteria** belong to?
Eubacteria ## Footnote Bacteria first appeared on Earth 3 billion years ago.
31
Do bacteria have a **nucleus** or other membrane-bound organelles?
No ## Footnote Genetic material is stored in the nucleoid.
32
What is the **cellular wall** of most bacteria made up of?
Peptidoglycans
33
What are the **three shapes** that bacteria can be found in?
* Rod-shaped * Rounded * Spiral-shaped
34
What structure allows for cellular **movement** in bacteria?
Flagellum
35
How do bacteria **reproduce**?
Binary fission
36
What allows archaea to **thrive in harsh environments** like extreme temperatures, pH fluctuations, and elevated salinity levels?
A monolayer or more complex hydrocarbon tail in their cell membranes.
37
What is the **shape of the DNA** in archaea?
It is organized in a **single circular shape**.
38
Where can **archaea** be found?
Almost **anywhere on the planet**, including extreme environments with high temperatures, salinity levels, and pH levels. ## Footnote They are also known as **extremophiles**. Examples: * **Thermophiles** thrive in hot places like deep-sea thermal vents or hot springs. * **Halophiles** love salty environments like hypersaline lakes or oceans.
39
What are the characteristics of **protists**?
* Eukaryotic * Mostly unicellular * Mostly aquatic
40
How are **protists** classified?
* Animal-like * Plant-like * Fungus-like ## Footnote Animal-like protists are heterotrophs, plant-like protists are autotrophs, and fungus-like protists are also heterotrophs.
41
What is **endosymbiosis** in protists?
The idea that **one cell engulfs** another cell.
42
What is the importance of **diatoms**?
* They are **major primary producers** in aquatic ecosystems, forming the base of many food webs. * They contribute significantly to **global oxygen production** through photosynthesis. * Their silica (glass-like) cell walls accumulate as diatomaceous earth, used in filtration, abrasives, and **nanotechnology**.
43
What is a unique characteristic of **euglena**?
They can be either **autotrophic or heterotrophic**, depending on the availability of light or nutrients.
44
What are some **examples** of protists?
* Diatoms * Dinoflagellates * Euglenas
45
What are the different modes of nutrition in **protists**?
* Animal-like protists ingest food. * Plant-like protists perform photosynthesis. * Fungus-like protists absorb food.
46
What are **fungi**?
* Decomposers that break down organic material and absorb nutrients. * Reproduce by releasing spores. * Obtain energy from other organic substances. * Have cell walls made of chitin.
47
What are **plants**?
* Autotrophs that make their own energy. * Use radiant energy to make their own food. * Reproduce through seeds or spores. * Have cell walls made of cellulose.
48
What is the **evolutionary significance** of fungi?
* They played a vital role in the evolution of plants by releasing nutrients into the soil. * They fill an important ecological niche as decomposers.
49
What is **mycelium**?
A root-like network of fibrous threads called hyphae responsible for the absorption and transportation of nutrients in fungi.
50
When did **angiosperms** evolve?
140 million years ago ## Footnote Angiosperms reproduce through seeds contained within a fruit. They also contain structures called flowers which house the plant's reproductive organs and aid in pollination.
51
What are the characteristics of **prokaryotes**?
Unicellular organisms that **do not have membrane-bound organelles** with DNA that is not contained within a nucleus.
52
How are **plants** classified?
* According to their ability to **reproduce** through spores or seeds. * The presence of a **vascular system**. * Whether they have **flowers** or not. * Whether they have one or two **seed leaves**.
53
What are the **two categories** of angiosperms?
* Monocots * Dicots
54
What is the **main difference** between monocots and dicots?
* **Monocots** are one seed leaf plants. * **Dicots** are two seed leaf plants.
55
What is the **main difference** between fungi and plants in terms of nutrition?
* **Fungi** are heterotrophs that gain nutrition from other sources. * **Plants** are autotrophs that produce their own food.
56
What are the **eight characteristics** used to classify animals?
* Eukaryotic * Multicellular * Heterotrophic * Have the ability to move * Have body symmetry * Have a body cavity * Contain tissues * Have a vertebral column ## Footnote To be considered an animal, an organism must have all these characteristics.
57
What are the **five kingdoms system**?
* Monera * Protista * Fungi * Plantae * Animalia
58
What are **invertebrates**?
Animals that **do not have a backbone**. ## Footnote Examples: * Jellyfish * Butterflies * Snails * Starfish * Sponges
59
What are the **three main traits** that formed during the evolution of invertebrates?
* Specialization * Symmetry * Cephalization
60
What is **cephalization**?
Formation of a **head** in organisms.
61
What are the **two types** of symmetry found in animals?
* Bilateral * Radial
62
What are **vertebrates**?
Animals with a **backbone**. ## Footnote Examples: * Birds * Mice * Humans * Snakes * Whales * Sharks
63
What domain contains organisms with **eukaryotic cells**?
Eukarya
64
What is a **virus**?
A small collection of genetic code made of **deoxyribonucleic** acid (DNA) or **ribonucleic** acid (RNA) that is surrounded by a **protein coat**. ## Footnote Viruses can only reproduce if they are housed within a host cell.
65
How do viruses **reproduce**?
Viruses are unable to reproduce without the help of host cells. When a virus enters the host cell, it **releases its genetic information** and utilizes the host cell ribosomes to **manufacture proteins** needed to copy itself.
66
What is a **virion**?
**An entire virus particle located outside of the host**, consisting of nucleic acids, capsomeres, capsids, and protomers.
67
What are the **components** of a virus?
* Nucleic acids (viral genome) * Capsid * Capsomeres * Protomers * Viral envelope * Viral proteins * Capsid proteins
68
What is the field that **studies viruses**?
Virology ## Footnote The scientists that specialize in studying viruses are known as virologists.
69
What is the **main difference** between bacteria and viruses?
* **Bacteria** are living organisms. * **Viruses** are nonliving particles.
70
What is the term for a **virus** that **infects and replicates** within bacteria?
Bacteriophage
71
Why are viruses considered **nonliving**?
Because they are not able to reproduce on their own and are metabolically inert.
72
What is the **structure and shape** of viruses?
A small collection of genetic coding with DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat; not the same as bacteria.
73
What is a **unicellular organism**?
An organism made of **one cell** that is capable of carrying out all life activities independently. ## Footnote Can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Examples: * Protists like Amoeba, Paramecium, and Euglena * Bacteria * Some fungi such as yeast
74
What are the **characteristics** of unicellular organisms?
* A single cell performs all activities of life. * Unicellular organisms usually reproduce asexually. * Found in all habitats. * Possess whip-like structures for movement. * Require protection achieved through diffusion.
75
What is diffusion used for in **unicellular organisms**?
The exchange of gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) and the removal of waste substances across the cell membrane.
76
What is the **structure** of a unicellular organism?
Consists of the cell membrane (plasma membrane) and cytoplasm containing macromolecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
77
How do unicellular organisms reproduce **asexually**?
Through modes like binary fission, multiple fission, fragmentation, and budding.
78
What is a **multicellular organism**?
An organism made of **many cells**. ## Footnote Such as plants, animals, or fungi.
79
What are multicellular **autotrophs**?
Organisms that **make their own food**. ## Footnote Energy can be created through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Examples include plants in the kingdoms Plantae and Protists (grass, kelp, trees, and shrubs).
80
What are multicellular **heterotrophs**?
Organisms that must **eat to gain energy**. ## Footnote Examples include: * animals in the kingdom Animalia (birds, corals, fish, cheetahs, elephants) * fungi in the kingdom Fungi
81
What are some **characteristics** of multicellular organisms?
* Made of many cells. * Have specialized cells to divide functions. * Have communication systems. * Have systems for oxygen, nutrients, and waste transport. * Made of eukaryotic cells. * Visible to the naked eye. * Size increases with cell number.
82
Which type of reproduction is used by **unicellular organisms**?
**Asexual** reproduction
83
Which type of reproduction is utilized by **multicellular organisms** like flowers, people, and animals?
**Sexual** reproduction
NES Biology
flashcards
Decks in class (24)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions