IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) · Sciences

Classification and biodiversity: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Classification and biodiversity.

10 questions24 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

In the scientific name Homo sapiens, what does the second word, sapiens, represent in the binomial nomenclature system?

Question 2

1 mark

Look at the picture and choose the correct word.

Question 3

1 mark

An unknown specimen was observed with the following characteristics:
1. It is multicellular.
2. It possesses a nucleus.
3. It lacks a cell wall.
4. It is heterotrophic.
Based on these characteristics, which of the following groups does this organism belong to?

Question 4

1 mark

Which of the following taxonomic ranks is the most general and contains the largest number of different species?

Question 5

1 mark

A scientist discovers an organism that is multicellular, has cell walls made of chitin, and absorbs nutrients from decomposing organic matter. In which kingdom should this organism be classified?

Question 6

2 marks

In the biological classification system, which taxonomic rank is positioned directly between Class and Family?

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Question 7

3 marks

Consider the five-kingdom classification system. Which kingdom is characterized by organisms that are almost always unicellular and possess a prokaryotic cell structure lacking a nuclear membrane?

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Question 8

5 marks

Based on the provided cladogram illustrating the evolutionary relationships between four distinct species, identify which two species share the most recent common ancestor.

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Question 9

4 marks

A scientist identifies a new species of tree and names it Quercus robur. In daily conversation, this tree is often called the 'English oak'.

(a) State two reasons why it is more beneficial for scientists to use the scientific name Quercus robur rather than the common name 'English oak' when communicating internationally.
(b) In the name Quercus robur, identify which part represents the genus and which part represents the species.

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Question 10

5 marks

A student collected four different animals (A, B, C, and D) and created a dichotomous key to identify them. Use the key provided below to answer the following questions.

Dichotomous Key:
1a. Has legs .......................................... Go to 2
1b. Does not have legs ........................ Go to 3
2a. Has six legs .................................... Organism A
2b. Has eight legs ................................. Organism B
3a. Body is segmented ........................ Organism C
3b. Body is not segmented .................. Organism D

(a) Based on the key, identify the organism that has eight legs.
(b) Describe the physical characteristics of Organism C based on the pathways taken in the key.
(c) Explain why using a dichotomous key is a reliable method for biological classification.

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