What defines whether two organisms belong to the same species?
The ability to produce fertile offspring.
Members of the same species must be capable of breeding and producing fertile offspring.
Why is courtship behaviour important before mating in many organisms?
Species recognition
Courtship behaviours help individuals identify members of their own species and avoid unsuccessful mating attempts.
True or False:
Courtship behaviour has no role in reproductive success as long as two organisms can physically mate.
False
Courtship is often required to trigger mating behaviour and ensure recognition of the correct species.
What is the term for a biological classification group within a hierarchy such as genus or family?
Taxon
Taxon (plural: taxa) refers to any classification grouping used in biological taxonomy.
What type of classification system groups organisms according to their evolutionary relationships?
Phylogenetic classification
This system reflects evolutionary ancestry and genetic relatedness rather than just physical similarity.
True or False:
In a hierarchical classification system, taxa can overlap between groups.
False
Each organism belongs to only one group at each taxonomic level.
Fill in the blank:
In classification hierarchies, smaller groups are placed within ______ groups.
larger
Taxonomic hierarchies nest smaller taxa within broader categories.
What is the smallest taxonomic rank in the standard biological hierarchy?
Species
Species represents the most specific classification level.
What taxonomic rank groups together closely related species?
Genus
A genus contains species that share close evolutionary relationships.
Fill in the blank:
The scientific name of an organism consists of its genus and ______.
species
These two names together form the binomial scientific name.
What is the universal two-part naming system used to identify species?
Binomial nomenclature
Introduced by Linnaeus; ensures each species has a globally recognised name.
In the scientific name Homo sapiens, what taxonomic level does Homo represent?
Genus
The first word of a binomial name identifies the genus.
In the scientific name Homo sapiens, what taxonomic level does sapiens represent?
Species
The second word distinguishes the species within the genus.
True or False:
Species names are universally standardised so scientists worldwide refer to the same organism.
True
Binomial nomenclature prevents confusion caused by common names.
What is the highest taxonomic rank in the hierarchy: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species?
Domain
Domain sits above kingdom in modern classification hierarchies.
Fill in the blank:
The taxonomic hierarchy from broad to specific includes domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, ______, genus and species.
family
Family groups together related genera.
Which scientific field studies immune system proteins that can be compared between species to determine relatedness?
Immunology
Similarities in antibodies and proteins can indicate evolutionary relationships.
What modern biological technique compares DNA sequences to determine evolutionary relationships between organisms?
Genome sequencing
DNA comparison provides strong evidence of common ancestry.
True or False:
Genome sequencing has helped refine evolutionary relationships used in classification.
True
Molecular evidence can confirm or revise relationships previously inferred from morphology.
What overarching goal does a phylogenetic classification system aim to reflect when grouping organisms?
Evolutionary origins
Organisms are grouped according to common ancestry and divergence over time.
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3.1.1 Monomers & Polymers9
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3.1.2 Carbohydrates22
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3.1.3 Lipids17
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3.1.4 Proteins39
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3.1.5 Nucleic Acids32
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3.1.6 ATP11
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3.1.7 Water11
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3.1.8 Inorganic ions8
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3.2.1 Cell structure52
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3.2.2 Cell division20
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3.2.3 Transport across cell membranes20
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3.2.4 Cell recognition & the immune system36
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3.3.1 Surface area to volume ratio13
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3.3.2 Gas exchange24
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3.3.3 Digestion & absorption16
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3.3.4 Mass transport39
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3.4.1 DNA, genes & chromosomes13
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3.4.2 DNA & protein synthesis14
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3.4.3 Genetic diversity & meiosis14
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3.4.4 Genetic diversity & adaptation20
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3.4.5 Species & taxonomy20
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3.4.6 Biodiversity within a community12
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3.4.7 Investigating diversity12
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3.5.1 Photosynthesis23
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3.5.2 Respiration17
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3.5.3 Energy & ecosystems20
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3.5.4 Nutrient cycles15
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3.6.1 Stimuli & Response62
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3.6.2 Nervous coordination53
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3.6.3 Skeletal muscles14
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3.6.4 Homeostasis57
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3.7.1 Inheritance12
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3.7.2 Populations15
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3.7.3 Evolution may lead to speciation22
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3.7.4 Populations in ecosystems24
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3.8.1 Gene Mutations and Protein Structure14
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3.8.2 Control of Gene Expression44
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3.8.3 Applications of Genome Projects10
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3.8.4 Gene Technologies and Their Applications46
