Plant and Animal Evolution Overview

Eukaryotic

Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes

Autotrophic

Organisms capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis

Non-motile

Organisms that do not have the ability to move spontaneously

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that is the main constituent of plant cell walls

Algae

Simple, autotrophic, aquatic organisms that range from unicellular to multicellular forms

Mosses

Small, non-vascular plants that reproduce via spores and lack true roots, stems, and leaves

Lycophytes

Primitive vascular plants that lack seeds and true leaves

Ferns

Vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have true roots, stems, and leaves

Gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants with 'naked' seeds not enclosed in an ovary

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within a fruit

Roots

Plant organs that anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients, and store food

Stems

Plant organs that provide support, conduction of water and nutrients, and sometimes storage

Leaves

Plant organs specialized for photosynthesis, storage, and reproduction

Xylem

Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals from roots to other parts of the plant

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars produced through photosynthesis to different plant parts

Venus fly trap

Plant that eats insects, birds, fish, and anything it can catch

Porifera

Sponges with specialized cells, similar to Protists

Protists

Single-celled organisms with organelles, common ancestor of complex animals

Cnidaria (Radiata)

Animals with radial symmetry, like anemones and jellyfish

Bilateria

Animals with bilateral symmetry allowing for better navigation

Coelomates

Animals with a body cavity, including humans

Chordates

Animals with segmented bodies, like humans

Vertebrae

Animals with a backbone, including lampreys and cartilaginous fish

Jaws

Evolved in cartilaginous fish for more effective predation

Lungs

Organs for breathing air, evolved in lungfish and amphibians

Limbs

Appendages for movement on land, seen in amphibians and reptiles

Amniotic egg

Egg with a membrane allowing land reproduction, seen in reptiles and birds

Lampreys

Animals with vertebrae, made of cartilage, lack jaws, and are parasitic

Cartilaginous fish

Fish with cartilage jaws and fins, top ocean predators

Ray-finned (bony) fish

Fish with calcified bones and fins for maneuverability

Lungfish

Fish with lungs and pectoral fins for walking, adapting to land

Amphibians

Animals with limbs for land movement, still have aquatic life stages

Reptiles

Animals with amniotic eggs, limbs, and scale-covered bodies

Birds

Warm-blooded animals with feathers for flight and endothermic regulation

Mammals

Animals with live birth, mammary glands, and warm-blooded traits

Platypus

Mammal laying eggs and producing milk through pores

Black and white tegu

Endothermic reptile with warm-blooded characteristics

Mako, bull, and lemon sharks

Sharks giving birth to live young

Luzon fanged frog

Amphibian with live birth adaptations in dry areas

Marsupials

Animals with immature offspring born in pouches