Exercises: Taxonomy and the Kingdoms of Life
List the levels of the taxonomic classification system from the broadest to the most specific: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Write…
List the levels of the taxonomic classification system from the broadest to the most specific: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Write them in order, and say which level includes the fewest organisms.
The scientific name of the gray wolf is Canis lupus*. Which part is the genus and which part is the species? Describe one rule for writing scientific names.
The scientific name of the gray wolf is Canis lupus. Which part is the genus and which part is the species? Describe one rule for writing scientific names.
Name the kingdom for each organism: (a) a mushroom, (b) an oak tree, (c) a Paramecium*, (d) a house cat, (e) E. coli* bacteria.
Name the kingdom for each organism: (a) a mushroom, (b) an oak tree, (c) a Paramecium, (d) a house cat, (e) E. coli bacteria.
Complete the table by describing each kingdom's cell type (prokaryotic or eukaryotic), how it gets energy, and one example. | Kingdom | Cell type | How it gets energy |…
Complete the table by describing each kingdom's cell type (prokaryotic or eukaryotic), how it gets energy, and one example.
| Kingdom | Cell type | How it gets energy | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animalia | |||
| Plantae | |||
| Fungi |
Two organisms have these classifications: Organism X: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Panthera*, Panthera leo* Organism Y: Animalia, Chordata,…
Two organisms have these classifications:
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Organism X: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Panthera, Panthera leo
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Organism Y: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Panthera, Panthera tigris
(a) At what level do they first differ? (b) Would they be more closely related to each other or to a gray wolf (Canis lupus, family Canidae)? Explain.
Fungi and bacteria are both decomposers in a forest in the Pacific Northwest. Explain what decomposers do for the ecosystem and describe why the ecosystem would suffer…
Fungi and bacteria are both decomposers in a forest in the Pacific Northwest. Explain what decomposers do for the ecosystem and describe why the ecosystem would suffer if they were missing. Also name one structural difference between a fungus cell and a bacterial cell.
Liam finds a new organism in a pond. It is made of one cell with a nucleus, it moves using hair-like structures, and it eats smaller microorganisms. Using these…
Liam finds a new organism in a pond. It is made of one cell with a nucleus, it moves using hair-like structures, and it eats smaller microorganisms. Using these observations, decide which kingdom it most likely belongs to, and explain why it does not belong to Bacteria, Plantae, Fungi, or Animalia. Describe one additional observation that would help confirm your choice.
A coral reef off the coast of Florida includes algae, coral animals, fungi, and bacteria. (a) Assign each group to a kingdom. (b) Explain the ecological role of each…
A coral reef off the coast of Florida includes algae, coral animals, fungi, and bacteria. (a) Assign each group to a kingdom. (b) Explain the ecological role of each group (producer, consumer, or decomposer). (c) Argue which group's loss would most seriously disrupt energy flow through the reef, and justify your choice with evidence from trophic levels.