Taxonomy Review

Which of the following describes an example of how a taxonomist would classify organisms?

• A. Classification of giraffes according to similarities in their environments

• B. Classification of monkeys according to differences in their hand structures

• C. Classification of seashells according to the similarities in their ages

• D. Classification of rabbits according to the different regions they are from

Answer explanation

B is correct because taxonomists classify organisms based on structural and functional characteristics, such as hand structures in monkeys, rather than environmental factors or age.

Organisms that are members of the family Coccinellidae are heterotrophic, reproduce sexually, and are multicellular. Knowing this, we can be certain they belong to which kingdom?

• A. Animalia

• B. Plantae

• C. Eubacteria

• D. Protista

Answer explanation

Organisms in the family Coccinellidae are multicellular, heterotrophic, and reproduce sexually, characteristics that confirm they belong to the kingdom Animalia, as plants (Plantae) and bacteria (Eubacteria) do not share these traits.

All members of the kingdom Protista share which of the following characteristics? They all –

• reproduce sexually.

• produce their own food.

• are made of more than one cell.

• have an enclosed nucleus.

Answer explanation

All members of the kingdom Protista have an enclosed nucleus, which distinguishes them from prokaryotes. They may reproduce sexually, produce their own food, and can be unicellular or multicellular, but the nucleus is a shared feature.

Which of the following is a unique feature of organisms in the kingdom Archaea?

• A. They have a nucleus.

• B. They thrive in extreme environments.

• D. They reproduce only asexually.

• C. They are all multicellular.

Which of the following characteristics can be used to classify an organism into a specific domain?

• Being unicellular or multicellular

• Mode of reproduction

• Presence of nucleus in cells

• Being heterotrophic or autotrophic

Answer explanation

The presence of a nucleus in cells is a key characteristic that distinguishes eukaryotes (organisms with a nucleus) from prokaryotes (organisms without a nucleus), thus classifying them into specific domains.

Which answer choice identifies the two organisms that are most closely related and why?

• A) Organism 2 and Organism 4 because they are in the same class

• B) Organism 1 and Organism 2 because they are in the same phylum

• C) Organism 3 and Organism 4 because they are in the same order

• D) Organism 1 and Organism 3 because they are in the same kingdom

Answer explanation

B) Organism 1 and Organism 2 are most closely related because they belong to the same phylum, indicating a closer evolutionary relationship compared to the other options, which are at higher taxonomic levels.

Which of the following is a characteristic of organisms in the kingdom Fungi?

• D. They are unicellular.

• C. They reproduce asexually only.

• A. They are autotrophic.

• B. They have cell walls made of chitin.

Which of the following statements is true about the kingdom Plantae?

• D. All plants reproduce sexually.

• C. Plants are primarily autotrophic.

• B. Plants do not have a nucleus.

• A. All plants are unicellular.

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of organisms in the kingdom Animalia?

• B. They have cell walls made of cellulose.

• D. They reproduce asexually.

• A. They are autotrophic.

• C. They are multicellular and heterotrophic.

What is a common method used by taxonomists to classify organisms into different kingdoms?

• By their color

• By their sizes

• By how they get their energy

• By their ability to fly.