Kami Export - Taxonomy Worksheet | PDF | Taxonomy (Biology) | Genus - Free Printable

Problem Analysis:

The task involves analyzing a table that classifies four organisms (Green Frog, Mountain Lion, Domestic Dog, and Human) based on their taxonomic ranks. The goal is to answer questions related to taxonomy, including identifying the most specific and broadest taxonomic levels, determining relationships between organisms, and understanding the classification system.

Solution:

#### 1. Which taxon includes the most specific characteristics?
- Answer: Species
- Explanation: In the taxonomic hierarchy, the "Species" level is the most specific. It represents a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. For example, the Green Frog is classified as *Rana clamitans*, which is a specific species within its genus (*Rana*).

#### 2. Which taxon includes the broadest characteristics?
- Answer: Kingdom
- Explanation: The "Kingdom" is the highest and broadest taxonomic rank. It groups organisms into major categories based on fundamental characteristics. All four organisms in the table belong to the kingdom "Animalia," which includes all animals.

#### 3. Which taxon includes more species, an order or a family?
- Answer: Order
- Explanation: An "Order" is a higher taxonomic rank than a "Family." Orders typically include multiple families, meaning they encompass a larger number of species. For example, the order Carnivora includes the families Felidae (cats) and Canidae (dogs), among others.

#### 4. Which taxon includes only organisms that can successfully interbreed?
- Answer: Species
- Explanation: The "Species" level is defined by the ability of organisms to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Organisms within the same species share the most specific genetic traits and are capable of reproduction with one another.

#### 5. If two organisms belong to the same family, what other taxonomic groups do the organisms have in common?
- Answer: Kingdom, phylum, class, order
- Explanation: Taxonomy is hierarchical, meaning each level builds upon the previous one. If two organisms belong to the same family, they must also belong to the same kingdom, phylum, class, and order, as these are higher taxonomic ranks that encompass the family.

#### 6. Which two organisms in the chart are most closely related? Explain.
- Answer: Mountain lions and dogs because they have the most taxa in common.
- Explanation: To determine closeness, we compare the shared taxonomic ranks:
- Mountain Lion (*Felis concolor*): Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Felis
- Domestic Dog (*Canis familiaris*): Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Carnivora, Canidae, Canis
- Both belong to the same kingdom, phylum, class, and order (Carnivora). They share more taxa in common compared to any other pair of organisms in the table.

#### 7. To which taxa do all four organisms belong?
- Answer: Kingdom and phylum
- Explanation: All four organisms (Green Frog, Mountain Lion, Domestic Dog, and Human) belong to the kingdom "Animalia" and the phylum "Chordata." These are the most inclusive taxonomic ranks that apply to all of them.

#### 8. Which class does not include animals that have hair or fur?
- Answer: Amphibia
- Explanation: The class "Amphibia" includes frogs, toads, and salamanders, which do not have hair or fur. Hair or fur is a characteristic of mammals (class Mammalia).

#### 9. What is the order, family, and genus of a human?
- Answer: Primate, Hominidae, Homo
- Explanation: From the table:
- Order: Primates
- Family: Hominidae
- Genus: Homo

#### 10. Using the information in the chart, what can you conclude about the classification taxa of an organism with the scientific name *Rana temporaria*?
- Answer: Green frogs; they share the same genus.
- Explanation: The scientific name *Rana temporaria* indicates that this organism belongs to the genus *Rana*. Since the Green Frog in the table is also classified under the genus *Rana* (*Rana clamitans*), it can be concluded that *Rana temporaria* is closely related to the Green Frog and belongs to the same genus.

Final Answers:

1. Species
2. Kingdom
3. Order
4. Species
5. Kingdom, phylum, class, order
6. Mountain lions and dogs because they have the most taxa in common
7. Kingdom and phylum
8. Amphibia
9. Primate, Hominidae, Homo
10. Green frogs; they share the same genus

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{Species} \\
2. \text{Kingdom} \\
3. \text{Order} \\
4. \text{Species} \\
5. \text{Kingdom, phylum, class, order} \\
6. \text{Mountain lions and dogs because they have the most taxa in common} \\
7. \text{Kingdom and phylum} \\
8. \text{Amphibia} \\
9. \text{Primate, Hominidae, Homo} \\
10. \text{Green frogs; they share the same genus}
\end{array}
}
\]