The Taxonomy Ultimate Quiz! Trivia

Don't kill petite clowns or frantically grab slugs.

Scientists are constantly learning new things about organisms: as they do, the taxonomic classification shifts around and changes. Although obviously animals evolved a certain specific way, our understanding of it is incomplete, and therefore our taxonomic system changes all the time. Example: 30 years ago, there were only 3 kingdoms: Plants, Animals, and Squiggly Things. Today there are five (or six).

In binomial nomenclature, the first name, representing the genus, is capitalized, while the second name, the species, is lowercase. Here, Ursus means bear in Latin, the genus the grizzly bear belongs to, and arctos means brown, as in brown bear.

Since DNA is the basic genetic information for every living being, it tells us most about our true nature and relationship with other beings.

Cnidaria (Coelenterata) are aquatic, soft-bodied, carnivorous animals who have stinging tentacles and are highly symmetrical. They have no internal circulation system and diffusion happens through their body cells.

Ancient philosophers, specifically Aristotle, were the first people to classify organisms. Aristotle developed a system of classification based on observable characteristics and organized organisms into groups based on their similarities. His work laid the foundation for future classifications and taxonomies. Charles Darwin, Carl Linnaeus, and 18th-century scientists made significant contributions to the field of biology, but they were not the first to classify organisms.

Analogous structures are two structures that are very similar but have reached that point of similarity because of the environment, not inheritance. A bat and a bee are not even from the same phylum, yet they both have wings: this is not because their common ancestor had wings, rather because they each evolved to have wings because that characteristic made them more fit. A derived character is a trait that arose in the most recent common ancestor of a particular lineage and was passed along to its descendants. A vestigial structure is a structure which, although has no use to the organism today, still exists because it didn't harm that organism, such as the hipbone of a dolphin (who evolved from land walkers, whose hipbones were legs), or our appendix.

Taxonomists use several criteria to categorize organisms. Reproductive behavior is one such criterion, as it helps determine the similarities and differences in how organisms reproduce. Biochemistry is another important factor, as it involves studying the chemical composition and processes within organisms. Anatomical structure is also crucial, as it involves comparing the physical characteristics and body structures of different organisms. Behavior is considered as it helps identify patterns and traits in how organisms act. DNA is used for genetic comparisons, while embryological development helps understand the developmental stages of organisms. These criteria collectively provide taxonomists with a comprehensive understanding of the relationships and classifications of organisms.