The Science of Classification
What is the scientific name of humans?
- Homo sapiens is the scientific name for modern humans. The name comes from the Latin words for "wise man." The genus name, Homo, refers to the human genus, while the species name, sapiens, refers to our species within that genus.
Which taxonomic rank is the most specific?
- Species is the most specific taxonomic rank. It refers to a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce viable offspring. Members of the same species share many characteristics and have a high degree of genetic similarity.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains of life?
- The three domains of life are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Fungi are part of the Eukarya domain, along with animals, plants, and protists.
Which taxonomic rank is above family and below class?
- The taxonomic hierarchy goes from kingdom to phylum to class to order to family to genus to species. Order is above family and below class in this hierarchy.
Which of the following is a characteristic of all living things?
- All living things have the ability to reproduce, whether through sexual or asexual means. Reproduction is essential for the survival and continuation of a species.
Which taxonomic rank is above genus and below family?
- The taxonomic hierarchy goes from kingdom to phylum to class to order to family to genus to species. Class is above genus and below family in this hierarchy.
Which of the following is a characteristic of the Archaea domain?
- Archaea are prokaryotic organisms that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are often found in extreme environments such as hot springs and deep-sea vents.
Which taxonomic rank is above phylum and below kingdom?
- The taxonomic hierarchy goes from kingdom to phylum to class to order to family to genus to species. Class is above phylum and below kingdom in this hierarchy.
Which of the following is a characteristic of the Bacteria domain?
- Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms that have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. They are found in almost every environment on Earth and play important roles in many ecological processes.
Which taxonomic rank is the most general?
- Kingdom is the most general taxonomic rank. It refers to a broad category of organisms that share certain characteristics. There are five kingdoms of life: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
