BIOLOGY FINAL 2

What are the characteristics of protists?

are eukaryotes, possess a nucleus containing DNA, and have membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria.

What are the major eukaryotic supergroups of protists?

Excavata, Chromalveolata, Rhizaria, Archaeplastida, Amoebozoa, Opisthokonta.

What is the evolutionary history of fungi?

Animals and fungi are both in the supergroup Opisthokonta and are more closely related to each other than to plants. The earliest known fossil fungi are dated at 460 million years ago.

What are the characteristics of fungi?

heterotrophic organisms that absorb nutrients from organic material and can be saprophytic, absorbing dead or decaying matter.

What are the major classifications of fungi?

Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota.

What are the general characteristics of animals?

multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that differ from plants and fungi in their mode of ingestion.

What is the evolutionary history of animals?

belong to the supergroup Opisthokonta, and the first animals appeared in fossil records around 600 million years ago.

What are the major classifications of invertebrate animals?

include sponges, cnidarians (like jellyfish), and other phyla.

What are the characteristics of sponges?

the simplest animals, lacking true symmetry and specialized tissues.

What are the characteristics of jellyfish?

are Eumetazoans with radial symmetry.

What is the ecological species concept?

It defines species based on their ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring.

What is gradualism in evolution?

refers to the slow and steady evolution of species, such as the evolution of horses or whales.

What is punctuated equilibrium?

is the theory that species evolve during short periods of rapid change followed by long periods of stability.

What is allopatric speciation?

occurs due to geographic separation of populations.

What is sympatric speciation?

occurs when new species evolve from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region.

What are prezygotic barriers?

prevent mating or fertilization between species.

What is habitat isolation?

occurs when two species live in different habitats and do not meet.

What is behavioral isolation?

occurs when two species have different mating rituals or behaviors.

What is temporal isolation?

occurs when two species breed at different times.

What is gametic isolation?

occurs when sperm and egg from different species are incompatible.

What is mechanical isolation?

occurs when physical differences prevent mating.

What is hybrid sterility?

occurs when hybrid offspring are sterile, such as mules.

What are the characteristics of phylum Chordata?

Chordates have pharyngeal pouches, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a notochord, and a post-anal tail.

What are the stages of vertebrate evolution?

include fishes, amphibians, and feathered reptiles.