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?
