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5.3 Classification of biodiversity

IB Syllabus Statements

Understandings:

  • The binomial system of names for species is universal among biologists and has been agreed and developed at a series of congresses.

  • When species are discovered they are given scientific names using the binomial system.

  • Taxonomists classify species using a hierarchy of taxa.

  • All organisms are classified into three domains.

  • The principal taxa for classifying eukaryotes are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.

  • and findings of research? Is it necessary to consider the social context when evaluating ethical aspects of knowledge claims?

  • In a natural classification, the genus and accompanying higher taxa consist of all the species that have evolved from one common ancestral species.

  • Taxonomists sometimes reclassify groups of species when new evidence shows that a previous taxon contains species that have evolved from different ancestral species.

  • Natural classifications help in identification of species and allow the prediction of characteristics shared by species within a group.

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Applications and skills:

  • Application: Classification of one plant and one animal species from domain to species level.

  • Application: Recognition features of bryophyta, filicinophyta, coniferophyta and angiospermophyta.

  • Application: Recognition features of porifera, cnidaria, platyhelmintha, annelida, mollusca, arthropoda and chordata.

  • Application: Recognition of features of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish.

  • Skill: Construction of dichotomous keys for use in identifying specimens.

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Topic 5.3 Classification of biodiversity SSaQ (Syllabus Statement as Questions)

  • Cooperation and collaboration between scientists is important. Explain why scientists use the binomial system to classify species rather than the local names of organisms.

  • What is the binomial system of names for species and how is it used?

  • What are the hierarchy of taxa that taxonomists use to classify species?

  • What are the three domains into which all organisms are classified?

  • What is a useful mnemonic device for remembering the principal taxa that are used for classifying eukaryotes?

  • Explain the relationship between the different levels of taxa in natural classification and evolution from common ancestral species.

  • Why would taxonomists reclassify groups of species?

  • Compare natural classification with artificial classification.

  • How does natural classification help with species identification?

  • How does natural classification help with predicting characteristics?

  • Give the full classification of a plant species from domain to species level.

  • Give the full classification of an animal species from domain to species level.

  • Outline the main recognition features of bryophyta, filicinophyta, coniferophyta, and angiospermophyta. (For internal features, ONLY discuss presence of vascular tissue.)

  • Outline the main recognition features of porifera, cnidaria, platylhelmintha, annelida, mollusca, arthropoda and chordata. Focus on the features that would help to distinguish these animal phyla groups from each other.

  • Outline the main recognition features of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish.

  • Explain how you would construct a dichotomous key for use in identifying specimens.

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