Biodiversity and Systematics Quiz

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems.

Systematics/Taxonomy

• Modern systematics uses evolutionary relationships to classify organisms.
• Traditional systematics focuses on observable characteristics.

Phylogenetics (Clades)

• Phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.
• Clades are groups of organisms that include a common ancestor and all of its descendants.

Binomial Nomenclature

• Binomial nomenclature is the system of giving each species a unique two-part scientific name (genus and species).

Organization of Living Things

• Living things are organized into domains (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya), kingdoms, and other taxonomic ranks.

Archaea: Extremophiles

• Archaea are prokaryotic microorganisms often found in extreme environments (extremophiles).

Bacteria: Types, Structure, Reproduction, Metabolism, DNA Exchange

• Types (shapes): Bacteria come in various shapes (bacilli, cocci, spirilla).
• Structure: Bacteria have a cell wall, cytoplasm, and other components.
• Reproduction: Bacteria reproduce asexually, typically by binary fission.
• Metabolism: Bacteria can be aerobic (require oxygen) or anaerobic (do not require oxygen).
• DNA exchange: Bacteria transfer genetic material through horizontal gene transfer.

Viruses: Structure, Living vs. Non-living, Lytic vs. Lysogenic Cycle

• Structure: Viruses have a protein coat (capsid) and genetic material (DNA or RNA).
• Living or non-living: Viruses are debated since they cannot reproduce independently.
• Lytic vs. lysogenic cycle: Lytic cycles result in the destruction of the host cell; lysogenic cycles lead to the integration of the viral genome into the host's.

Pathogens: Disease Spread, Antibiotics vs. Antivirals, Vaccines

• Pathogens are disease-causing agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists).
• Spread: Pathogens spread through various methods (contact, vectors, water/air).
• Treatment: Antibiotics target bacteria; antivirals target viruses; vaccines stimulate the immune response.

Protists: Endosymbiosis, Life Cycle

• Endosymbiosis: Mitochondria and chloroplasts were once independent prokaryotic organisms, engulfed by a larger host cells, resulting in eukaryotes.
• Evidence: Organelle structure and DNA similar to prokaryotes.
• Life cycle: Some protists exhibit alternation of generations (multicellular haploid and diploid stages).

Fungi: Structure, Symbiosis, Life Cycle

• Structure: Fungi have hyphae and mycelium which facilitate nutrient absorption.
• Symbiosis: Fungi form symbiotic relationships with other organisms (lichens with algae/cyanobacteria and mycorrhizae with plant roots).
• Life cycle: Fungi reproduction involves the stages of germination, plasmogamy (fusion of cytoplasm), and karyogamy (fusion of nuclei).

Plants: Evolution, Life Cycles, Reproduction, Types

• Evolution: Plants evolved from aquatic ancestors.
• Life cycles: Plants exhibit alternation of generations.
• Bryophytes: Reproduce through spores.
• Seed plants: Sporophytes, ferns (lycophytes, pterophytes), gymnosperms, angiosperms.
• Gymnosperms: Naked seeds, cones.
• Angiosperms: Flowering plants, enclosed seeds.

Animals: Defining Characteristics, Phylogenetic Trees, Chordata

• Defining characteristics: Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms.
• Phylogenetic trees: Used to illustrate evolutionary relationships among animal groups.
• Chordata: Animals with a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail.

Test your knowledge on biodiversity, systematics, phylogenetics, and the classification of living organisms. This quiz covers important concepts like binomial nomenclature and the unique characteristics of Archaea and Bacteria. Challenge yourself and deepen your understanding of life on Earth.