Biodiversity, Taxonomy, and Photosynthesis (S2 T1)

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers biological classification (taxonomy) from the domain level down to species, as well as the fundamental processes and components of photosynthesis.

Biodiversity

Refers to life in all forms, including ecological, species, and genetic information.

Species

Organisms capable of interbreeding and reproducing fertile offspring.

Taxonomy

The science of naming and classifying groups of species.

Carolus Linnaeus

Known as the Father of Taxonomy, he developed the binomial system of naming species using physical characteristics.

8 Levels of Classification

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (D K P C O F G S).

Domain

The highest rank of classification, grouped by cellular and genetic structure.

Bacteria (Domain)

Unicellular prokaryotes that have peptidoglycan in their cell walls for protection.

Archaea (Domain)

Single-celled prokaryotes with no peptidoglycan that live in extreme environments.

Eukarya (Domain)

A domain consisting of multicellular and unicellular organisms including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Kingdom

A group of organisms sharing fundamental, structural, and functional characteristics.

Protists

Single-cell eukaryotic organisms such as amoeba, euglena, and paramecium.

Fungi

Multicellular eukaryotic organisms such as mushrooms, mold, and yeast.

Plantae

Multicellular eukaryotic organisms including trees, grass, and moss.

Animalia

Multicellular eukaryotic organisms including animals and humans.

Eubacteria

Single-cell prokaryotic organisms, such as salmonella.

Archaebacteria

Unicellular prokaryotes including halophiles, methanogens, and thermophiles.

Phylum

A level of classification for organisms with similar body parts.

Class

A level of classification for organisms sharing similar characteristics.

Order

A level of classification consisting of related families.

Family

A level of classification consisting of related genera.

Genus

A level of classification consisting of several related species.

Methanogens

A type of archaebacteria associated with methane.

Halophiles

A type of archaebacteria associated with salt.

Thermophiles

A type of archaebacteria associated with heat.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate.

NADPH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.

Photosynthesis

The process of putting together light energy to convert solar energy into glucose.

Light dependent reaction

Occurs in the thylakoid where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and water is split to release oxygen, producing ATP and NADPH.

Light independent reaction

Also known as the Calvin cycle, it occurs in the stroma and uses ATP, NADPH, and $CO_2$ to produce glucose.

Fixation

The first phase of the Calvin cycle where $RUBP + CO_2 = 6$ using rubisco enzymes.

Reduction

The phase of the Calvin cycle where $3PGA$ becomes $63P$, acting as a building block for glucose.

Regeneration

The phase of the Calvin cycle involving the building back of $RUBP$.