Organism Classification for House Cat
- Common Name: House Cat
- Scientific Name: Felis catus
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My organism is in the genus Felis and species catus.
An organism that is in genus Felis but not in species catus is Felis silvestris (the wildcat). -
My organism is in the family Felidae and genus Felis.
An organism that is in family Felidae but not in genus Felis is Panthera leo (the lion). -
My organism is in the order Carnivora and family Felidae.
An organism that is in order Carnivora but not in family Felidae is Canis lupus (the gray wolf). -
My organism is in the class Mammalia and family Felidae.
An organism that is in class Mammalia but not in family Felidae is Homo sapiens (humans). -
My organism is in the phylum Chordata and class Mammalia.
An organism that is in phylum Chordata but not in class Mammalia is Pisces (a fish such as Salmo salar, the Atlantic salmon). -
My organism is in the kingdom Animalia and phylum Chordata.
An organism that is in kingdom Animalia but not in phylum Chordata is Euglena (a member of the kingdom Protista).
What is a dichotomous key and how is it used to classify organisms?
A dichotomous key is a tool that consists of a series of questions or statements that lead the user to the correct identification of an organism. Each question typically offers two contrasting choices, guiding the user through a process of elimination based on observable characteristics (such as physical traits or behavior). As the user answers each question, they will narrow down the possibilities until they reach the specific name of the organism. This method helps scientists and biologists identify and classify organisms in a systematic way.
Name and define the three domains of life:
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Archaea:
Archaea are single-celled microorganisms that are prokaryotic, meaning they lack a nucleus. They are often found in extreme environments, such as hot springs and salt lakes, and can be involved in processes such as methane production. -
Bacteria:
Bacteria are also single-celled prokaryotic organisms, but they are distinct from Archaea in their genetic, biochemical, and ecological characteristics. Bacteria can be found in a variety of environments, including soil, water, and inside the bodies of living organisms. -
Eukarya:
Eukarya are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This domain includes a diverse range of life forms, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists, many of which are multicellular.