Introduction to Taxonomy of Organisms

Look at the cladogram.

Which of the following characteristics is shared by the following animals: tiger, gorilla, and human?

• Hair

• No Tail

• Dry Skin

• Jaws

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The dendrogram of Drosophila shows the evolutionary relationships among different species of fruit flies that all descended from a common ancestor.

Which statement is BEST supported by the information in this dendrogram?

Select TWO answers.

• D. nigra is more closlely related to D. immigrans.

• D. buskii is closely related to D. kikkawii than D. immigrans.

• D. rajasekari is closely related to D. neonasuta than D. suzukii.

• D. kikkawii is the least related to D. coonorensis.

• D. repleta is is closely related to D. kikkawii than D. mysorensis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Why is it important to assign each organism a scientific name?

Select TWO correct answers.

• To identify species as a unique organism.

• To make the species universally identifiable to scientists.

• To better study the behavior of the species.

• To allow scientists to develop common names for organisms.

• To describe how species look relative to others in the same genus.

Two scientists want to compare their research of fireflies. The information that these two scientists should provide to each other to determine if they studied the same type of fireflies is the species __________ of the fireflies studied.

The gray squirrel, Eastern fox squirrel, and red squirrel are all different types of squirrels. Why is having a scientific name for each squirrel species important?

• To standardize the naming and organization of organisms to avoid confusion.

• To allow organisms to be placed in many classification levels at the same time.

• To keep the classification system from being altered as new organisms are discovered.

• To prevent existing named organisms from having their names changed as they become extinct.

The table shows the taxonomic classification of two marine organisms living along the Pacific Coast.

The two organisms differ only based on their ___________ and __________ using the Linnaean System.

Scientist around the world use a standardized taxonomic system. Why would scientist want to use a taxonomic system that is standardized?

• In order to avoid confusion with the identification of organisms.

• Because Linnaeus established the system.

• So that Latin names can be applied for a practical purpose.

• In order to place organisms in different groups.

The list shows the common names used throughout the United States for the species of adult mountain lions (Puma concolor).

Why is it best for scientists to use the name from standardized taxonomic system?

• All scientists will be using one name for mountain lions.

• Communication with other scientists about mountain lions will be reduced.

• The standardized name is less descriptive of the animal that has been observed.

• The standardized name differentiates mountain lions and pumas.

The Linnaean taxonomic system classifies organisms into divisions called taxa. If two organisms belong to the same taxonomic group, they are related.

In the taxonomic hierarchy, what level indicates the closest relationship?

Look at the example of taxonomic hierarchy.

What is the scientific name of the species?