Biodiversity and Prokaryotes

The science of classifying organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.

A category used in classifying living things. There are 8 levels, from general to specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

The highest and most general level of classification. There are 3 domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

A group of organisms that share fundamental characteristics like cell structure and reproduction.

A two-part Latin name used to identify a specific species. The first part is the genus name (capitalized) and the second is the species name (lowercase).

Organisms with cells that have a nucleus. This domain includes animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Organisms that lack a nucleus in their cells. They are single-celled and are found in a wide variety of environments.

Primitive single-celled organisms without a nucleus. They often live in extreme environments.

A stain used to categorize bacteria based on their cell wall structure, differentiating between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Bacteria with a single membrane layer and a thick protein layer that retains the Gram stain, appearing purple under the microscope.

Bacteria with two membrane layers and a thin protein layer that does not retain the Gram stain well, appearing pink under the microscope.

Long whip-like structures used by bacteria to move.

A type of movement used by spirochetes, involving a corkscrew-like motion.

Spherical-shaped bacteria.

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Organisms that obtain nutrients from carbon-containing chemicals in their environment, 'eating' to survive.

Organisms that can produce their own food, like plants.

Organisms that require oxygen to survive.

Organisms that can use oxygen when it's available, but can also switch to fermentation to extract energy when oxygen is absent.

Organisms that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

Fungi that absorb nutrients from living cells of a host organism.

Fungi that have beneficial relationships with other organisms, where both benefit.

A diagram depicting a hypothetical evolutionary relationship between groups of organisms, like a family tree.

The observable traits or characteristics of an organism, such as eye color, height, or hair texture.

The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by letters like AA, Aa, or aa.

Two of the same alleles for a gene. Example: PP or pp.

Two different alleles for a gene. Example: Pp.

A family tree that shows the inheritance of traits across generations. It uses symbols to represent individuals and their relationships.

The way a gene is inherited, like being dominant or recessive, and carried on an autosome or sex chromosome.

An allele is dominant, carried on an autosome, and only one copy is needed to express the trait.

An allele is recessive, carried on an autosome, and two copies are needed to express the trait.

An allele is dominant, carried on the X chromosome, and affects both males and females.

An allele is recessive, carried on the X chromosome, and affects males more often than females.

The allele is carried on the Y chromosome, and only males inherit it from their father.

The allele is found in the mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited from the mother.

The process of cell division where a single cell splits into two identical daughter cells. Used for growth and repair.

The process of cell division where a single cell splits into four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes. Used for sexual reproduction.

During meiosis I, homologous chromosome pairs exchange genetic material, increasing genetic variation.

A type of plant tissue responsible for transporting water and nutrients throughout the plant.

The process of water movement through a plant, from roots to leaves, and evaporating through the stomata.

The force that pulls water upward in the xylem due to water evaporation from the leaves.

The attraction between water molecules that helps them stick together, aiding in water transport.

The attraction between water molecules and the xylem walls, helping water move upwards against gravity.

The process of transporting sugars produced by photosynthesis through the phloem to other parts of the plant.

Unspecialized plant cells that can divide by mitosis, responsible for plant growth.

Small openings on the underside of leaves that allow for gas exchange during photosynthesis.

Structures in different species that have a similar underlying anatomy, but may have different functions. They indicate shared ancestry.

Structures in different species that have similar functions, but evolved independently. They show that similar environments can lead to similar adaptations.

The process of evolution where closely related species develop different traits due to different environmental pressures. This results in the diversification of a common ancestor into different forms.

The process of evolution where unrelated species develop similar traits due to shared environmental pressures. This indicates that similar solutions can evolve independently.

Reduced or non-functional structures in an organism that were present and functional in its ancestors. These structures provide evidence of evolutionary history.

The study of the distribution of species across the Earth. This helps to understand how organisms have evolved and spread over time.

The process by which one species splits into two or more species.

Reproductive barriers that prevent mating or fertilization between two species. This keeps species distinct.

Reproductive barriers that occur after mating and fertilization. This can result in hybrid offspring that are not viable or fertile.

Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically separated, preventing gene flow. This allows for genetic divergence and the development of reproductive barriers.

Speciation that occurs within the same geographic region, often due to genetic changes that prevent interbreeding. This can be driven by factors like polyploidy (changes in chromosome number) or disruptive selection.

The number of sets of chromosomes in a somatic cell.

The number of chromosomes in one set of an organism. It represents the haploid number.

The process of selectively breeding organisms for desired traits. This can lead to significant changes in a population over time.

The development of resistance to antibiotics in bacteria due to natural selection. This happens when antibiotics are overused or misused, leading to the survival and reproduction of resistant bacteria.

The remains of ancient organisms preserved in rock or other materials. Fossils provide direct evidence of past life and its evolution.

The main artery carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the entire body.

This chamber pumps oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

This vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.

This vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.

This vein carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

The body's process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes.

The maintenance of a stable internal body temperature.

Maintaining a stable blood glucose level for energy.

Maintaining the right balance of water and salts in the body.

The process of maintaining a stable blood pH for proper cellular function.

Maintaining stable blood pressure to ensure proper blood flow to all tissues.

The pathway of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.

The pathway of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and back to the heart.

Thick-walled vessels carrying high-pressure blood away from the heart.

Thin-walled vessels carrying low-pressure blood towards the heart.

The vascular tissue that transports water and dissolved minerals upward from the roots to the rest of the plant.

The vascular tissue that transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

A pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs sunlight energy for photosynthesis.

A type of root system with a large main root that grows downward, with smaller lateral roots branching off.

A type of root system with many small roots that are often shallow and branched, forming a dense network.

Specialized cells in roots that primarily absorb water from the soil.

The central part of the root that contains the vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).

A protective layer of cells at the tip of the root that helps it move through the soil.

A region of actively dividing cells in roots that contribute to root growth.

The main part of a leaf responsible for light absorption.

The stalk that connects the leaf blade to the stem.

Tiny pores on the surface of leaves that regulate the exchange of gases and water vapor.