Biology: The Living World and Taxonomy

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the study of biology and taxonomy.

Biology

The science of life forms and living processes.

Biodiversity

The variety of living organisms, including the number and types of organisms present on Earth.

Nomenclature

The standardization of naming living organisms to avoid confusion, allowing a particular organism to be known by the same name globally.

Binomial nomenclature

A two-word naming system created by Carolus Linnaeus, where each organism is given a genus name and a specific epithet, like Mangifera indica.

Taxonomy

The scientific study of classification, including identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms.

Taxon

A group or category in the classification of organisms, such as species, genus, or family.

Systematics

The study of the diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships.

Species

A group of individual organisms with fundamental similarities, capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Genus

A group of related species that share more characteristics in common than species from other genera.

Family

A higher taxonomic category that groups related genera.

Order

A higher category that includes families exhibiting similar characteristics.

Class

A taxonomic category that includes related orders.

Phylum

A higher taxonomic category that groups classes of organisms sharing major characteristics.

Kingdom

The highest taxonomic category, grouping together related phyla.