Characteristics and classification of living organisms

movement

action done by the organism or part of the organism causing a change in position or place.

1 of 22

respiration

chemical reaction in cells that break down nutrient molecules and releases energy for metabolism

2 of 22

sensitivity

ability to detect or sense stimuli in internal or external environment and make appropriate responses

3 of 22

growth

permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both

4 of 22

reproduction

process that makes more of the same organism

5 of 22

excretion

removal from organisms of the waste products of metabolism, toxic materials and substances in excess of requirements

6 of 22

nutrition

taking in of materials for energy, growth and development; plants require light, carbon dioxide, water and ions;animals need organic compounds and ions and usually need water

7 of 22

How are organisms classified into groups by the features that they share?

All living organisms are classified into groups based on very basic, shared characteristics. The classification of living things includes 7 levels: kingdom, phylum, classes, order, families, genus, and species .

8 of 22

kingdoms

The most basic classification of living things is kingdoms. Currently there are five kingdoms.(Animalia, Plantae, Protista, Monera, and Fungi)

9 of 22

phylum

physical similarities among organisms within a kingdom.( Chordata,vertebrata,Arthropoda,Nematoda,Mollusca,Annelida)

10 of 22

class

organisms of a class have even more in common than those in an entire phylum.(Mammalia, Aves, Insecta, Reptilia, Amphibia, Arachnida, Crustacea, Myriapoda, Osteichthyes)

11 of 22

order

rganisms in each class are further broken down into orders. A taxonomy key is used to determine to which order an organism belongs.(Primates, Squamata, Lepidoptera, Carnivora,)

12 of 22

family

Organisms within a family have more in common than with organisms in any classification level above it.(Hominidae, Felidae, Canidae,)

13 of 22

genus

Genus is a way to describe the generic name for an organism. The genus classification is very specific so there are fewer organisms within each one.(Canis, Homo, Felis, Vulpes,panthera, Ursus,)

14 of 22

species

Species are as specific as you can get.The main criterion for an organism to be placed in a particular species is the ability to breed with other organisms of that same species.(catus, tigris, lupus, Leo, sapiens, lupus familiaris,)

15 of 22

species

a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offsprings

16 of 22

Binomial system

Naming species as an internationally agreed system in which the scientific name of an organism is made up of two-parts showing the genus and species.

17 of 22

describe the binomial system

The binomial nomenclature system combines two names into one to give all species unique scientific names. The first part of a scientific name is called the genus. The second part of a species name is the specific epithet. Species are also organized i

18 of 22

Explain that classification is traditionally based on studies of morphology and anatomy.

In the past when DNA hadn’t been discovered, scientists had to rely on morphology (the overall shape and form of organisms) and anatomy (detailed body structure studied by dissection).

19 of 22

Explain that sequences of bases in DNA and of amino acids in proteins are used as an accurate means of classification.

DNA is genetic material passed on from organisms to their offspring.ach DNA molecule is made up of strings of smaller molecules that contain four different bases. The bases can be arranged in any way, but the more similar they are between organisms,

20 of 22

Explain that organisms which share a more recent ancestor(are more closely related)have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a distant ancestor

When comparing organisms, the more similar base sequences they have, the more closely related they are. Closely related means they share a more recent common ancestor than organisms with very different base sequences that have a very distant ancestor

21 of 22

State that organisms can be classified into groups by the features that they share

This is why biologists have taken great care using the study of DNA to classify organisms. The whole point of classification systems is to show evolutionary relationships — which animals are closely related, which animals aren’t related at all.

22 of 22

Get Revising

Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

Front

Back

Comments

Similar Biology resources: