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Results of the 2018 Student Biology Olympiad

On March 13, a student biology olympiad was held at the Faculty of Biology of V. R. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Tasks and results are presented here. Let us congratulate the winners!

Task 2 (checked by the task author, Associate Professor of Botany and Plant Ecology Yu. G. Gamulya):
The APG classification of angiosperms (e.g., APG-IV, published in 2016) shares many features with other classifications. How does it fundamentally differ from other widespread systems, what principles does it use for grouping taxa, and is a compromise possible between APG and other classifications?

Systematic position

Stage of ontogeny

A

...

Now — the tasks themselves.
Task 1 (checked by the task author, Associate Professor of Biochemistry K. V. Kot):
Some archaea live in rather extreme environments and in particular are thermophiles. Thermophiles can grow and reproduce at high temperatures: 45°C and higher (sometimes 80–90°C). To tolerate such conditions, archaea must have a set of biochemical adaptations of metabolism and processes related to reproduction. What adaptations should these be?

Photo

Systematic position

Stage of ontogeny

A

Danio rerio eggs

phylum Chordata, class Bony Fishes

embryonic development, organogenesis

B

Sea urchin plutei

phylum Echinodermata, class Sea Urchins

*other classes were also counted, because the plutei of different echinoderms are similar

post-embryonic development, larva

V

Exuvium of a tardigrade with eggs

phylum Tardigrades, class Eutardigrada

* indicating the class was optional

embryonic development, egg

H

Neurula of the clawed frog

phylum Chordata, class Amphibians

embryonic development, neurula

D

Nauplius of a cyclops

phylum Arthropoda, class Crustaceans

post-embryonic development, larva

Calymmian

Beetle pupa

phylum Arthropoda, class Insects

post-embryonic development, pupa, metamorphosis

Zh

Cercaria of a fluke

phylum Flatworms, class Trematoda (Digenea)

post-embryonic development, larva

Z

Human morula

phylum Chordata, class Mammals

embryonic development, cleavage

I

Egg capsules of rays

phylum Chordata, class Cartilaginous Fishes

embryonic development, egg

K

Chicken embryo

phylum Chordata, class Birds

*the class Reptilia was also counted, because reptile embryos can be very similar and can be told apart only by the tail

embryonic development, organogenesis