Unit 1 - Diversity of Living Things Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Unit 1 Diversity of Living Things study sheet.

Taxonomy

Science of naming, identifying, and classifying organisms.

Taxonomic ranks

Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species.

Binomial nomenclature

Two-part scientific name: Genus + species.

Dichotomous key

Tool that identifies an organism using two choices at each step.

Cladogram

Diagram showing relationships using shared derived traits.

Node

Branching point representing a common ancestor.

Derived trait

Newer trait shared by a group.

Prokaryote

Cell with no nucleus.

Eukaryote

Cell with a nucleus.

Extremophile

Organism adapted to extreme conditions.

Endosymbiotic theory

Theory that some eukaryotic organelles came from ancient prokaryotes living inside other cells.

Binary fission

One bacterial cell divides into two.

Conjugation

Direct DNA transfer between bacteria.

Transduction

A virus transfers DNA between bacteria.

Endospore

Tough dormant structure helping some bacteria survive harsh conditions.

Aerobic

Requires oxygen.

Anaerobic

Does not require oxygen.

Facultative anaerobe

Can live with or without oxygen.

Autotroph

Makes its own food.

Heterotroph

Gets food from other organisms/organic matter.

Capsid

Protein shell protecting a virus.

Nucleic acid

DNA or RNA containing genetic instructions.

Lytic cycle

Virus copies itself and the host cell bursts.

Lysogenic cycle

Viral DNA joins host DNA and can remain inactive.

Protist

Mostly unicellular eukaryote outside the plant, animal, and fungi kingdoms.

Pseudopodia

Temporary extensions used by amoebas for movement.

Cilia

Short hair-like movement structures.

Flagella

Long whip-like movement structures.

Hypha

Thread-like fungal structure.

Mycelium

Network/mass of hyphae.

Lichen

Mutualism between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner.

Gametophyte

Haploid plant generation producing gametes.

Sporophyte

Diploid plant generation producing spores.

Bryophyte

Non-vascular plant group, such as mosses.

Pteridophyte

Seedless vascular plant group, such as ferns.

Gymnosperm

Plant with seeds not enclosed in fruit.

Angiosperm

Flowering plant whose seeds are enclosed in fruit.

Vertebrate

Animal with a backbone.

Invertebrate

Animal without a backbone.

Asymmetry

Cannot divide into symmetrical halves.

Radial symmetry

More than one possible bisection.

Bilateral symmetry

One possible bisection.

Coelomate

Animal with a fluid-filled body cavity completely lined by mesoderm-derived tissue.

Acoelomate

Animal without a body cavity.

Segmentation

Body divided into repeated sections.

Motile

Able to move.

Sessile

Stationary.

Ectotherm

Body temperature depends largely on the external environment.

Endotherm

Can regulate body temperature independently of the environment.

Methanogens

Archaea that produce methane.

Halophiles

Archaea adapted to salt environments.

Thermophiles

Archaea adapted to heat environments.

Psychrophiles

Archaea adapted to cold environments.

Cocci

Spherical bacterial shape.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Diplo

Bacterial arrangement in pairs.

Strepto

Bacterial arrangement in chains.

Staphylo

Bacterial arrangement in clusters.

Saprotroph

Organism that breaks down dead material for food.

Parasite

Organism that takes nutrients from hosts.

Envelope

Outer layer of a virus obtained from a host cell.

Nucleocapsid

Viral structure consisting of capsid plus nucleic acid.

Bacteriophage

Virus that infects bacteria.

Ectoderm

Body layer that forms skin, nerves, and sense organs.

Mesoderm

Body layer that forms muscles, blood, kidneys, and reproductive organs.

Endoderm

Body layer that forms digestion and respiration organs.