Properties of Life and Animal Kingdom Overview

Properties of Life

• Life is composed of four macromolecules: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
• Life exhibits hierarchical organization from cells to ecosystems, with emergent properties.
• Life reproduces through biogenesis (life from life).
• DNA carries genetic information essential for inheritance and function.
• Metabolism involves catabolism (breaking down molecules) and anabolism (building molecules).
• Development involves differentiation and growth, influenced by genetics and environment.
• Organisms interact with their environment through adaptations and responses.
• Movement enables organisms to interact with the environment, find resources, and avoid threats.

Animal Kingdom Overview

• Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms with specialized structures for movement, nutrition, and reproduction.
• Animal behaviors are either instinctive or learned.
• Niche specialists have specific habitat and food needs, while generalists adapt to diverse environments.
• Animal anatomy supports survival, with adaptations for feeding, movement, and reproduction.
• Animals may have simple or complex digestive systems.
• Herbivores and carnivores differ in their digestive systems for processing different foods (plants, animals).
• Growth occurs through mitosis and cell division.
• Sexual reproduction involves gametes (egg and sperm). Mitosis creates somatic cells, meiosis creates gametes.

Insects

• Insects have three body segments (head, thorax, abdomen), three pairs of legs, and typically two pairs of wings.
• Head: Contains eyes (simple or compound), antennae (sensory), and mouthparts (chewing, sucking, siphoning).
• Thorax: Holds wings and legs.
• Abdomen: Houses digestive, reproductive, and excretory systems.
• Insects are classified into orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera).
• Nutrition includes herbivory, carnivory, or omnivory.
• Insects have an open circulatory system.
• Gas exchange occurs through spiracles and trachea.
• Insects have specialized sense organs.
• Defense mechanisms include color patterns (aposematic, crypsis, mimicry), and physical defenses (stingers, venom).
• Metamorphosis occurs through incomplete (egg, nymph, adult) or complete (egg, larva, pupa, adult) stages.

Arachnids

• Arachnids belong to the phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Chelicerata, class Arachnida.
• Orders include Araneae (spiders), Scorpiones (scorpions), Opiliones (harvestmen), and Acari (mites and ticks).
• Arachnids have two body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen), eight legs, chelicerae (fangs), and pedipalps.
• Movement involves hydraulic pressure in legs.
• Prey capture varies (webs or active hunting).
• Defense mechanisms include venom, camouflage, or urticating hairs.
• Arachnids can be beneficial (pest control) or harmful (disease transmission).
• Ticks are parasitic, feeding on blood with a life cycle of larvae, nymphs, and adults.

Crustaceans

• Crustaceans belong to the phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Crustacea.
• Examples include Malacostraca (crabs, lobsters) and Maxillopoda (barnacles).
• Crustaceans have biramous appendages (two branches).
• They are mainly benthic (sea floor) or sessile (attached).
• Anatomy includes a fused head and thorax (cephalothorax).
• Appendages are specialized for feeding, movement, and reproduction.
• Crustaceans use gills for respiration, have a heart for circulation, and digestive systems for different food strategies.
• Growth involves ecdysis (molting).
• Transport of eggs is external.
• Crustaceans play roles in food webs (decomposers, zooplankton, and symbiosis).

Species Interactions and Ecology

• Competition: Occurs when species share limited resources, follows the competitive exclusion principle.
• Predation: One organism preys on another for food.
• Symbiosis: Includes mutualism (both benefit), commensalism (one benefits, other is unaffected), and parasitism (one benefits, the other is harmed).
• Trophic levels: Organisms are classified in trophic levels (producers, primary consumers, etc.).
• The 10% rule describes energy transfer between trophic levels.
• Carrying capacity: The maximum population size supportable by resources.
• Biotic potential: Maximum reproductive capacity under ideal conditions.
• Over-shoots and diebacks: Population exceeding capacity leading to decline.

Evolutionary Concepts

• Darwin's theories: Natural selection and descent with modification explain species evolution.
• Evidence for evolution: Includes fossil record, morphology, biogeography, and genetics.
• Classification systems: Hierarchical (Kingdom, Phylum, Class) from phenetic (similar traits) to phylogenetic (evolutionary relationships). Note that convergent evolution affects phenetic classification.

Explore the essential characteristics of life and an overview of the animal kingdom. This quiz covers macromolecules, hierarchical organization, and the roles of DNA and metabolism in living organisms. Additionally, learn about the unique features of animals, their behaviors, and adaptations to environments.