PLANT TAXONOMY EXAM #3 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Systematics - correct answer study of the diversity of life and the evolutionary
relationships between organisms
Classification - correct answer the action or process of classifying something on the
basis of their relationships
Taxonomy - correct answer The scientific study of how living things are classified-
including principles, procedures, and rules
Systematics is basis of biology in 2 aspects: - correct answer -Identification
-Relationships
Goals of modern plant systematics - correct answer -provide useful and convenient
methods of plant identification
-inventory plant life of the world
-provide a classification system that expresses natural relationships of plants
-to detect evolution at work
Differences between classification and identification - correct answer -Classification
deals with groups
-Identification deals with individuals
Prerequisites for accurate identifications - correct answer -Knowledge of taxonomic
methods, terms, and characters
-Familiarity with manuals and other resources for identification
-Experience with process of identification
Methods of plant identification - correct answer -expert determination
-Comparison methods
-Taxonomic keys
Morphological species concept - correct answer Organisms that look alike belong to the
same species. Less preferred but used most commonly in practice
Biological Species Concept - correct answer Species is a group of populations whose
members have the potential to produce fertile offspring. Offers most objective and
testable definition
Speciation - correct answer Formation of new species
-usually results from a disruption in gene flow
-Speciation begins when gene flow between populations ceases and populations begin
to diverge.
, -Divergence is due to mutation, natural selection, and drift.
Prezygotic isolation mechanisms - correct answer -Mechanical
-Temporal
-Behavioural
-Ecolological
-Gametic mortality
Postzygotic isolation mechanisms - correct answer -hybrid inviability
-hybrid sterility
Biological Species Concept in Plants - correct answer -Easily recognized species are
characterized by cutressing, unrestricted fertility amoung rembers, and strong
Reproductive isolating mechansims
-Microspecies- cryptic species- differentiated species of populations derived from
asexual reproduction, difficult to recognize morphologically
-Geographically isolated species divergence occureed without reproductive isolation
Evolutionary species concept - correct answer -States that species should be
recognized based on evolutionary relationships
-Separate evolutionary lines should be recognized as separate species
Hierarchy - correct answer -framework of classification composed of a sequence of
groups at different levels arranged such that each group except the lowest contains one
or more suborinate groups.
Taxon - correct answer group of real organisms recognized at any level of a taxonomic
hierarchy
Taxonomic rank - correct answer position of either a taxon or a category in a taxonomic
hierarchy
Origin of generic names - correct answer -Always a Latin noun or word treated as one
-Arise from a variety of sources
-Honorifics: many are created to honor important individuals in botanist
-Generic names may be descriptive of the plant
Sources of Specific epithet - correct answer -Honorifics: -i or -ii if male, -ae or -iae if
female
-Indicated geographic locality: -ensis or -ense
-Most are adjectives describing plant
-Tautonyms aren't allowed (Bison bison)
Category suffixes - correct answer Family: -aceae
Order: -ales
Class: -opsida
ANSWERS
Systematics - correct answer study of the diversity of life and the evolutionary
relationships between organisms
Classification - correct answer the action or process of classifying something on the
basis of their relationships
Taxonomy - correct answer The scientific study of how living things are classified-
including principles, procedures, and rules
Systematics is basis of biology in 2 aspects: - correct answer -Identification
-Relationships
Goals of modern plant systematics - correct answer -provide useful and convenient
methods of plant identification
-inventory plant life of the world
-provide a classification system that expresses natural relationships of plants
-to detect evolution at work
Differences between classification and identification - correct answer -Classification
deals with groups
-Identification deals with individuals
Prerequisites for accurate identifications - correct answer -Knowledge of taxonomic
methods, terms, and characters
-Familiarity with manuals and other resources for identification
-Experience with process of identification
Methods of plant identification - correct answer -expert determination
-Comparison methods
-Taxonomic keys
Morphological species concept - correct answer Organisms that look alike belong to the
same species. Less preferred but used most commonly in practice
Biological Species Concept - correct answer Species is a group of populations whose
members have the potential to produce fertile offspring. Offers most objective and
testable definition
Speciation - correct answer Formation of new species
-usually results from a disruption in gene flow
-Speciation begins when gene flow between populations ceases and populations begin
to diverge.
, -Divergence is due to mutation, natural selection, and drift.
Prezygotic isolation mechanisms - correct answer -Mechanical
-Temporal
-Behavioural
-Ecolological
-Gametic mortality
Postzygotic isolation mechanisms - correct answer -hybrid inviability
-hybrid sterility
Biological Species Concept in Plants - correct answer -Easily recognized species are
characterized by cutressing, unrestricted fertility amoung rembers, and strong
Reproductive isolating mechansims
-Microspecies- cryptic species- differentiated species of populations derived from
asexual reproduction, difficult to recognize morphologically
-Geographically isolated species divergence occureed without reproductive isolation
Evolutionary species concept - correct answer -States that species should be
recognized based on evolutionary relationships
-Separate evolutionary lines should be recognized as separate species
Hierarchy - correct answer -framework of classification composed of a sequence of
groups at different levels arranged such that each group except the lowest contains one
or more suborinate groups.
Taxon - correct answer group of real organisms recognized at any level of a taxonomic
hierarchy
Taxonomic rank - correct answer position of either a taxon or a category in a taxonomic
hierarchy
Origin of generic names - correct answer -Always a Latin noun or word treated as one
-Arise from a variety of sources
-Honorifics: many are created to honor important individuals in botanist
-Generic names may be descriptive of the plant
Sources of Specific epithet - correct answer -Honorifics: -i or -ii if male, -ae or -iae if
female
-Indicated geographic locality: -ensis or -ense
-Most are adjectives describing plant
-Tautonyms aren't allowed (Bison bison)
Category suffixes - correct answer Family: -aceae
Order: -ales
Class: -opsida
