Unit 1 — Diversity of Living Things: Biodiversity & Classification Flashcards

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Biodiversity

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The variety and number of species and ecosystems on Earth. It includes genetic, species, and ecosystem-level diversity and changes over time through evolution.

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Biosphere

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The part of Earth inhabited by living organisms, including layers of soil, water, and air. It contains a massive variety of life despite being a small fraction of Earth's mass.

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Morphology

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The physical appearance and structural features of an organism. Morphology is used to compare organisms and help classify them.

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Taxonomy

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The science of naming and assigning organisms to groups (taxa). It provides a structured system for organizing biological diversity.

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Binomial Nomenclature

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A two-name system using the Genus and species to uniquely name organisms. Names are Latin or Latinized, with the genus capitalized and the species lowercase, both italicized in print.

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Species

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The smallest taxonomic group, consisting of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species share similar genetic and morphological traits.

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Genus

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A taxonomic rank grouping closely related species. The genus is the first part of a binomial name and is always capitalized.

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Family

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A taxonomic group that contains one or more related genera. Animal families often end in -idae and plant families in -aceae.

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Phylum

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A major taxonomic rank grouping related classes; in plants and fungi this rank is often called a division. Phyla represent large evolutionary lineages.

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Kingdom

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A broad taxonomic category that groups related phyla. Examples include Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Eubacteria, and Archaea.

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Prokaryote

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An organism without membrane-bound organelles or a nucleus, typically single-celled. Examples are Bacteria and Archaea.

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Eukaryote

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An organism with membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus. Eukarya includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals.

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Protista

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A diverse kingdom of mostly unicellular eukaryotes, including protozoans and many algae. Some are autotrophic and others are heterotrophic.

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Fungi

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A kingdom of mostly multicellular absorptive heterotrophs with chitin cell walls. Fungi digest food externally and absorb nutrients.

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Plantae

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The kingdom of multicellular autotrophs that perform photosynthesis and have cell walls composed of cellulose. Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy as glucose.

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Animalia

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A kingdom of multicellular ingestive heterotrophs that consume and internally digest food. Animals exhibit diverse forms and behaviors.

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Domain

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The highest level of classification that groups life into Archaea, Bacteria (Eubacteria), and Eukarya. Domains reflect deep genetic and evolutionary distinctions.

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Dichotomous Key

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A stepwise tool for identifying organisms that presents two alternative choices at each step. It guides the user to an identification based on observable traits.