Living Organisms and Classification

• Study notes on living organisms and classification are below.

Living Organisms and Classification

• Monera are unicellular and prokaryotic organisms.
• Protista are unicellular and eukaryotic organisms.
• Fungi are multicellular and eukaryotic organisms.
• Plantae are multicellular and eukaryotic organisms.
• Animalia are multicellular and eukaryotic organisms.
• Monera are mostly autotrophic in nutrition.
• Protista can be autotrophic or heterotrophic in nutrition.
• Fungi are mostly heterotrophic in nutrition.
• Plantae are autotrophic in nutrition.
• Animalia are heterotrophic in nutrition.
• Monera reproduce asexually.
• Protista reproduce asexually.
• Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
• Plantae reproduce both sexually and asexually.
• Animalia reproduce sexually.
• Bacteria is an example of Monera.
• Protozoa is an example of Protista.
• Mold is an example of Fungi.
• Flowering plants are examples of Plantae.
• Vertebrates are examples of Animalia.
• Monera lack membrane-bound organelles.
• Protista are mostly aquatic.
• Fungi absorb nutrients from decaying organic matter.
• Plantae have cell walls made of cellulose.
• Animalia lack cell walls, have specialized systems, and have mobility.

Domain

• Domains group organisms based on fundamental cellular characteristics.
• Archaea are single-celled organisms that thrive in extreme environments like hot springs and salt lakes.
• Archaea have distinct biochemistry and genetic traits that differentiate them from bacteria.
• Halophiles prefer salty environments.
• Thermophiles prefer hot environments.
• Bacteria are single-celled organisms found in various environments, including soil, water, and within the human body.
• Bacteria play crucial roles in ecosystems, such as decomposition and nutrient cycling.
• Cyanobacteria are an example of bacteria.
• Eukarya are organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus and organelles.
• Domain includes a range of life forms, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Classes

• Arachnids have eight legs and a two-segment body.
• Arachnids have an exoskeleton.
• Scorpions, ticks, mites, and spiders are examples of arachnids.
• Cnidarians have two cell layers and tentacles.
• Jellyfish, coral, hydra, anemones and Portuguese man-of-war are examples of cnidarians.
• Sponges are asymmetrical and live in salt and freshwater and are filter feeders.
• Sponges have two layers of cells
• Crickets and bees are example of insects.
• Insects have six legs and a three-segment body.
• Mollusks have soft bodies and mantles.
• Termites and mosquitos are examples of Mollusks.
• Snails, clams, squid, gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods are examples of mollusks.
• Echinoderms have spiny skin.
• Sea urchins, starfish, and sea cucumbers are examples of echinoderms.

Vertebrates

• Fish are cold-blooded and have gills.
• Fish have scales and fins.
• Fish lay eggs or give live birth in water.
• Salmon, sharks, and goldfish are examples of fish.
• Amphibians are cold-blooded and have gills and lungs.
• Amphibians have thin, moist skin and lay jelly-like eggs in water.
• Frogs, salamanders, and toads are examples of amphibians.
• Reptiles are cold-blooded and have lungs.
• Reptiles have scales and lay leathery eggs on land.
• Snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles are examples of reptiles.
• Birds are warm-blooded and have lungs and feathers.
• Bald eagles, falcons, sparrows, swans, and ostriches are examples of birds.
• Mammals are warm-blooded, have lungs, and hair.
• Mammals give live birth and feed young milk.
• Humans, elephants, whales, dogs, kangaroos, and platypuses are examples of mammals.

MRS GREN (Life Processes)

• Movement: Change in position or place.
• Respiration: Breaking down food in cells and releasing energy.
• Sensitivity: Sensing and responding to changes in the environment.
• Growth: Increasing in size or mass.
• Reproduction: Producing offspring.
• Excretion: Removal of waste products by chemical reactions in cells.
• Nutrition: Taking in nutrients.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

• Prokaryotic cells have no membrane-covered nucleus.
• Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus.
• Prokaryotic cells are bacteria.
• Eukaryotic cells are all other cell types.
• Prokaryotic cells have circular DNA.
• Eukaryotic cells have linear DNA.
• Prokaryotic cells have no membrane-covered organelles.
• Eukaryotic cells have membrane-covered organelles.

Movement in and out of Cells

• Diffusion: The net movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration, influenced by surface area, thickness, and concentration gradient.
• Osmosis: The net movement of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration through a partially permeable membrane affected by temperature, concentration gradients and pressure.

Active Transport

• Active transport: The movement of molecules from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration with the use of energy is affected by temperature, oxygen levels and energy availability (ATP).

Solutions

• Hypotonic Solution: The solute concentration outside the cell is lower compared to inside the cell.
• Hypertonic Solution: The solute concentration outside the cell is higher compared to inside the cell.
• Isotonic Solution: The concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside the cell.

Photosynthesis

• The formula is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
• Carbon dioxide diffuses into the leaves of green plants.
• Water is absorbed by osmosis through plant's roots and transported to the leaf through xylem vessels.
• Chloroplasts, containing chlorophyll, are responsible for trapping light energy.
• Light energy is used to break up water molecules and then bond hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form glucose.