$$\textit{Turdus migratorius}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the purpose of systematics in biology?

Accepted Answer

To reconstruct evolutionary history and relationships among organisms

Question 2

According to modern classification, which of the following is emphasized when grouping organisms?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary descent

Question 3

Which scientist established the binomial nomenclature system for naming species?

Accepted Answer

Carl Linnaeus

Question 4

What is the correct format for writing a scientific name using binomial nomenclature?

Accepted Answer

$$	extit{Genus species}$$

Question 5

Why are genetic similarities, such as DNA sequences, useful in modern systematics?

Accepted Answer

They provide evidence of evolutionary relationships that may not be visible morphologically

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a domain of life?

Accepted Answer

Protista

Question 7

A scientist finds two organisms with very similar DNA sequences. What is the most likely conclusion?

Accepted Answer

They share a recent common ancestor

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution that systematists must be cautious of when classifying organisms?

Accepted Answer

Wings in bats and birds

Question 9

Why might the biological species concept be difficult to apply to some groups of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Because many organisms reproduce asexually

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the three domains of life is correct?

Accepted Answer

Eukarya includes animals, plants, fungi, and protists

Question 11

A new species of bird is discovered. According to binomial nomenclature, which of the following is a valid scientific name?

Accepted Answer

$$	extit{Turdus migratorius}$$

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why systematists use both anatomical and genetic data to classify organisms?

Accepted Answer

Genetic data can reveal evolutionary relationships not evident from anatomy alone

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct order of taxonomic ranks from most inclusive to least inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 14

Which of the following is a reason why the number of named species is much lower than the estimated total number of species on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Most species are microscopic and undiscovered

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the origin of HIV is supported by systematics?

Accepted Answer

HIV originated from a chimpanzee virus that acquired mutations to infect humans

Question 16

Why are scientific names preferred over common names in biology?

Accepted Answer

Scientific names are unique and recognized worldwide

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a clade?

Accepted Answer

A group of organisms that all share a common ancestor

Question 18

What is the main reason why taxonomic ranks are being de-emphasized in modern systematics?

Accepted Answer

Ranks may misrepresent evolutionary history

Question 19

Which of the following is true about the domains Bacteria and Archaea?

Accepted Answer

They are both prokaryotic but differ greatly in cell wall structure and RNA polymerase

Question 20

If two species have very few differences in their DNA sequences, what does this suggest about their evolutionary relationship?

Accepted Answer

They diverged from a common ancestor recently

ch 19

Study Guide - Practice Questions