Variety of Living Organisms Flashcards

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to the classification of living organisms, including fungi, animals, and plants.

Hyphae

Fine thread-like filaments found in fungi, forming the mycelium.

Mycelium

The entire network of hyphae in a fungus.

Fruiting body

The reproductive structure of a mushroom or toadstool.

Saprotrophic Nutrition

When an organism feeds on dead organic material and digestion takes place outside of the organism.

Extracellular Enzymes

Enzymes secreted out of cells to break down substances outside the organism.

Chitin

A chemical that makes up the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of insects.

Unicellular

Made of single cells, like yeasts.

Vertebrates

Animals that have a vertebral column, or backbone.

Invertebrates

Animals that lack a vertebral column, or backbone.

Glycogen

A compound in which animals store carbohydrate in their cells.

Multicellular

Made up of many cells.

Plants

Major group of living organisms, are multicellular, contain chloroplasts, and carry out photosynthesis.

Cellulose

The material that plant cell walls are made of.

Starch

A storage carbohydrate often found inside plant cells.

Sucrose

A type of sugar transported around the plant and sometimes stored in fruits.

Protoctists

A mixed group of organisms that don't fit into the other kingdoms.

Protozoa

Microscopic single-celled protoctists that look like animal cells.