Biology Classification Vocabulary

Study Notes

Basic Organism Definitions

Organism: Any living thing.
Multicellular: Composed of many cells, usually larger organisms with various bodily functions for survival.
One-Celled or Single-Celled: Consists of a single cell, typically smaller organisms with fewer functions necessary for survival.

Classification Concepts

Classification: Organizing living things into groups based on similarities.
Taxonomy: The scientific study of classifying living organisms.
Binomial Nomenclature: Two-part scientific naming system consisting of genus and species names, developed by Carolus Linnaeus.

Classification Hierarchy

Classification involves seven taxon levels from largest to smallest:
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species

Kingdoms of Life

Plant Kingdom: Multicellular organisms that obtain energy through photosynthesis (e.g., trees).
Animal Kingdom: Multicellular, mobile organisms that consume other living beings (e.g., fish).
Monera/Bacteria Kingdom: Unicellular organisms without a nucleus, crucially abundant on Earth (e.g., bacteria).
Protist Kingdom: Includes both unicellular and multicellular organisms with varied modes of nutrition (e.g., algae and amoeba).
Fungi Kingdom: Multicellular, non-moving organisms that absorb nutrients from other organisms (e.g., mushrooms).

Characteristics of Living Organisms

Genus: A classification level that groups similar organisms (e.g., dogs and wolves).
Species: The smallest classification unit, representing one specific organism.
Microscope: A tool used to magnify tiny organisms for study.

Distinctive Features of Groups

Bacteria Shapes: Includes rod-shaped, ball-shaped, and spiral-shaped categories.
Types of Protists:
- Algae: Plant-like and photosynthetic organisms.
- Protozoans: Animal-like, often motile and acquire nutrients from environment or prey.
Fungi Types: Includes molds, mushrooms, and sac-fungi.
Plants: Multi-celled organisms containing chloroplasts for photosynthesis (e.g., trees, flowers).
Animals: Multi-celled, energy-acquiring organisms that feed on others (e.g., mammals, fish).

Classifying Organisms

Classifying: Grouping organisms based on similarities to enhance understanding and relationships.
Changing Ideas About Classification: Development of microscopes in the 1600s allowed discovery of new organisms and subsequent revisions in classification.

Human Classification

Classification of Humans:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Family: Hominidae
- Genus: Homo
- Species: Sapiens

Example Classification of Monkeys

Classification of Monkey:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Family: Cercopithecidae
- Genus: Macara
- Species: Sylvanus

Additional Facts

Bristlecone Pine Tree: Known as the oldest living tree, estimated to be 4,900 years old, predating the first Egyptian pyramid construction. Found in Nevada.

Description

Test your knowledge of important vocabulary in biology related to organisms and their classification. This quiz focuses on key terms such as 'organism', 'multicellular', and 'single-celled'. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of biological concepts.