Classification of Living Organisms

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the classification system of living organisms, including the kingdoms, characteristics of cells, types of nutrition, and various organism classifications.

Monera

The kingdom including prokaryotes such as bacteria and cyanobacteria.

Fungi

A kingdom of organisms that are heterotrophic, consisting of unicellular or multicellular forms that form hyphae.

Plantae

The kingdom of multicellular organisms that have cellulose cell walls and perform photosynthesis.

Animalia

The kingdom comprising multicellular organisms that are typically motile and heterotrophic.

Unicellular organisms

Organisms consisting of a single cell that can carry out all life processes independently.

Protozoa

Unicellular organisms that can be free-living or part of symbiotic relationships.

Viruses

Acelular organisms that require a living host cell for reproduction and are made up of a nucleic acid core surrounded by a protein capsid.

Bacteria

Microorganisms that are prokaryotic, can be pathogenic, and are involved in decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic prokaryotic algae that can fix nitrogen and often live in aquatic environments.

Multicellular organisms

Complex organisms composed of many cells that form tissues and organs.

Eukaryotic cells

Cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Autotrophic nutrition

A type of nutrition where organisms produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis.

Heterotrophic nutrition

A way of nutrition in which organisms obtain food by consuming other organisms.

Conjugation

A form of sexual reproduction in unicellular organisms where cells exchange genetic material.

Epidermal tissue

Plant tissue that forms the outer protective covering of leaves and stems.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that makes up the cell walls of fungi.

Symbiotic relationship

An interaction between two different organisms that can be beneficial for one or both.

Metazoan

Multicellular animals with specialized tissues and organs.

Arthropoda

The largest phylum in the animal kingdom, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

Chordata

A phylum characterized by the presence of a notochord, dorsal nerve tube, and gill slits.

Mammals

Warm-blooded vertebrates with hair and mammary glands that produce milk.