• You need to know the distinguishing characteristics of the domains and kingdoms of living organisms. 

• You need to know how organisms are classified based on evolutionary relationships.

• You need to explain the reasons for changes in how organisms are classified.

Organisms classified as fungi have unique characteristics. Which of the following characteristics is found only in organisms classified in the kingdom fungi?

A. single cells without a nucleus 

B. multicellular with chloroplasts 

C. multicellular filaments that absorb nutrients 

D. colonies of single, photosynthetic cells that reproduce asexually

The diagram below represents possible evolutionary pathways of certain organisms. 

Which species is most closely related to species L?

A. species E

B. species F

C. species G

D. species I

Which kingdoms have photosynthetic organisms? 

A. fungi and plants

B. fungi and protists

C. protists and plants

D. plants and animals

Some characteristics of a recently discovered organism are listed in the following table. 

Based on the given characteristics, this organism would be classified in which kindgom? 

A. eubacteria

B. fungi

C. plantae

D. protista

In 1990, Carl Woese introduced the three domain system for classifying living things, after the advancement of DNA analysis allowed for a comparison of species genetic code. Which of the following is the best explanation for why domains were added to the previous system of classification? 

A. The old system of classification was wrong and needed to be corrected. 

B. New species are evolving too quickly to keep up with the old system of classification

C. Domains have always been included, they were just made official recently. 

D. Some organisms, which were previously characterized together, were determined to be genetically very different. 

Which of the following provides the best argument for separating Archaea and Bacteria into

their own domains instead of leaving them together in the single kingdom, Monera?

A. Genetic analyses showed that Archaea are much more ancient than Bacteria.

B. It was discovered that they make their membranes differently and copy their DNA

differently.

C. Phylogenetic studies showed they have evolved different ways of storing their DNA in their

nuclei.

D. The kingdom was getting much too large as new species were discovered.

1. Correct answer: C. multicellular filaments that absorb nutrients

These filaments, called hyphae extend into the fungi’s food source and absorb nutrients. Fungi are not able to make their own food.

2. Correct answer: B. species F

Species L and species N share the common ancestor, species F.

3. Correct answer: C. protists and plants

Plant-like protists make their own food through photosynthesis, just like plants do.

4. Correct answer: B. fungi

Fungi do not have chlorophyll because they are heterotrophs. Like us, they have to find food to eat and cannot make it themselves. Being non-motile (cannot move) this presents a challenge so they must produce spores to distribute themselves to new places where food sources are located.

5. Correct answer: D. Some organisms, which were previously characterized together, were determined to be genetically very different.

Using the analysis of RNA developed by Carl Woese, scientists are now able to classify living things based on genetic information instead of expressed characteristics. Genetic information is more specific and can give clues as to the evolutionary ancestry of organisms.

6. Correct answer: B. It was discovered that they make their membranes differently and copy their DNA differently.