UMUC Biology 102 / 103 Lab 6: Taxonomy ANSWER KEY

This contains 100% correct material for UMUC Biology 103 LAB06. However, this is an Answer Key, which means, you should put it in your own words. Here is a sample for the Pre lab questions answered:

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Use the following classifications to determine which organism is least related out of the three. Explain your rationale. (1 pts)

The Eastern Newt is the least related organism out of the three. While all three are classified into the same domain, kingdom, phylum and class the Eastern Newt is in a different order than the American Green Tree Frog and the European Fire-Bellied Toad.

2. How has DNA sequencing affected the science of classifying organisms? (1 pts)

DNA sequencing has allowed for the comparison of genes at the molecular level as opposed to physical traits at the organism level. Physical traits can be misleading when classifying how related two organisms are. DNA sequencing can also trace relatedness through generations and more accurately assess how closely related two organisms are.

3. You are on vacation and see an organism that you do not recognize. Discuss what possible steps you can take to classify it. (1 pts)

The organism’s physical features can be used to compare it to known organisms. Some physiological features can even possibly be used to help classify it.

The rest of the questions in the lab are answered as well:

Experiment 1: Dichotomous Key Practice

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 3: Dichotomous Key Results

Organism

Binomial Name

i

Selasphorus platycercus

ii

Mus musculus

iii

Vaccinium oxycoccos

iv

Ramphastos vitellinus

v

Quercus abla

vi

Evathlus smithi

vii

Helix aspersa

viii

Taeniopygia guttata

ix

Lonicera japonica

xi

Oryctes nasicornis

xii

Taeniopyga guttata

xiii

Musa acuminata

Seems like x was omitted, which would have been Carduelis tristis.

Post-Lab Questions

1. What do you notice about the options of each step as they go from number one up?

2. How does your answer from Question 1 relate to the Linnaean classification system?

Experiment 2: Classification of Organisms

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 2: Key Characteristics of Some Organisms

Organism

Kingdom

Defined Nucleus

Mobile

Cell Wall

Photosynthesis

Unicellular

E. Coli

Yes

Yes

Protozoa

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Mushroom

Yes

Yes

Sunflower

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Bear

Yes

Yes

Post-Lab Questions

1. Did this series of questions correctly organize each organism? Why or why not?

2. What additional questions would you ask to further categorize the items within the kingdoms (Hint: think about other organisms in the kingdom and what makes them different than the examples used here)?

3. What questions would you have asked instead of the ones that you answered about when classifying the organisms?