Warm Up• Define: taxonomy

• List the seven taxa (in order)

• What are the two prokaryotic kingdoms?

• Compare and contrast Fungi and Plants

PBS: Nature

• The Importance of Biodiversity

Modern Basis for TaxonomyBiology 11

1) Comparative Anatomy

• Homologous structures: structures that have the same basic pattern and the same pattern of development.

• They do not necessarily have the same function• Example: human arm, whale flipper, bat

wing, horse front leg

Forelimb example:

1) Comparative Anatomy…• Embryonic development may also

indicate degree of unity.

2) Biochemical similarity

• Similarity of chemical compounds such as blood composition and protein sequence.

• Example: horseshoe crab was once thought to be a “true” crab but its blood is more similar to arachnids.

3) Genetic similarity

• How close is the DNA of different species?

• Chimpanzees and humans are ~98% similar• Test: DNA – DNA hybridization

Interview with a Taxonomist

• Dr. Ruth Kiew

Tropical Begonias and Beyond: A Voice for Tropical Forests

1) Why are taxonomists considered a rare breed?2) What argument does Dr. Kiew make about the

importance of taxonomy?3) Describe the Malay world (Malaysia) according to

Dr. Kiew.4) Why does Dr. Kiew devote her studies to

Begonias?5) List some reasons why we should protect tropical

plants.6) Why did Dr. Kiew teach beekeeping to

the women of Malaysia?