How has DNA sequencing affected the science of classifying organisms?

/in /by
  1. Use the following classifications to determine which organism is least related out of the three. Explain your rationale.
Table 2: Classifications
  Classification Level American Green Tree Frog European Fire- Bellied Toad Eastern Newt
Domain Eukarya Eukarya Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia Animalia Animalia
Phylum Chordata Chordata Chordata
Class Amphibia Amphibia Amphibia
Order Anura Anura Caudata
Family Hylidae Bombinatoridae Salamandridae
Genus Tursipops Bombina Notophthalmus
Species cinerea bombina viridescens

 

 

  1. How has DNA sequencing affected the science of classifying organisms?

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Exercise 1: Dichotomous Key Practice

 

Table 3: Dichotomous Key Results
Organism Binomial Name
i  
ii  
iii  
iv  
v  
vi  
vii  
viii  
ix  
x  
xi  
xii  
xiii  

 

 

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?

 

 

 

Exercise 2: Classification of Organisms

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 2: Key Characteristics of Some Organisms

Organism Kingdom  

Domain

 Defined Nucleus Motile Cell Wall Photosynthesis Unicellular
E. coli         Yes   Yes
Protozoa     Yes Yes     Yes
Mushroom     Yes   Yes    
Sunflower     Yes   Yes Yes  
Bear     Yes Yes      

 

lab006fig004
Figure 4:Exercise 2 – Classification of Organisms Flow Chart

 

 

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 each of the kingdoms and what makes them different than the examples used here)?

 

 

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