Taxonomy and Systematics

Front

Distinguish between taxonomy, phylogeny, and systematics.

Back

Taxonomy is the formal system of naming and grouping species. Phylogeny is the evolutionary history of a group of organisms. Systematics is the study of organisms to determine their evolutionary relationships.

Front

Describe Linnaean taxonomy.

Back

Linnaean taxonomy is a hierarchical system with a minimum of seven ranks for animals: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. It uses binomial nomenclature.

Front

Contrast homology with homoplasy.

Back

Homology refers to traits inherited from a common ancestor, while homoplasy refers to traits that appear similar but are not derived from a common ancestor.

Front

Who was Aristotle in the context of taxonomy?

Back

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and biologist who first classified organisms based on similarities.

Front

What is the significance of "Systema Naturae"?

Back

"Systema Naturae" is a work by Carolus Linnaeus that classified plants and animals using morphology.

Front

What does modern taxonomy incorporate?

Back

Modern taxonomy incorporates evolutionary theory and shifts from classification to systematization.

Front

What is the role of morphology in taxonomy?

Back

Morphology is used to classify plants and animals based on their form and structure.

Front

Systematization: taxa represent groups of common evolutionary descent.

Back

A taxon includes the most recent common ancestor of the group and all of its descendant species, known as a clade.

Front

Common descent in systematization.

Back

Refers to taxa representing groups of common evolutionary descent.

Front

Types of characters in systematics.

Back

Characters can be morphological, chromosomal, molecular, or others.