Question

One important feature of modern classification systems is that they

A. can predict the discovery of new species.

B. apply only to organisms that are alive today.

C. group organisms that live in the same habitat.

D. can incorporate new scientific discoveries.

Answer 1

The classification system helps to clarify relationship amongst other organisms, which allows us to know the difference of their traits, and it enables us to communicate clearly to the identity of the organisms that are being studied.

The classification system serves four important roles.
1.) It helps us remember the characteristics of a large number of different things. This system is capable of organizing these different organisms into different categories, which is based on their characteristics, that they are members to.

2.) Second, it helps us make predictions and it improves our predictive powers. It would be like a female mammalian species having mammal glands, in which the can produce milk to their offspring, and we can be certain that a newly discovered animal with other typical mammal traits, such as the hair and a constant high body temperature. This will also have a method of provisioning its offspring.

3.) Third, it provides the ability to explain relationships amongst species. This is especially important for biologist, to be able to attempt the reconstruction of the evolutionary pathway that have produced the diversity of the the living organisms today.

4.) Fourthly, it provides relatively stable and unequivocal names for organisms. If those names were to change, the system will provide the means of tracing the changes.

Hope that helps! n_n