Untitled Flashcards Set

Taxonomic Classification

The hierarchical system used to classify organisms, ordered as Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Domain

The broadest taxonomic rank in the classification system, encompassing three primary groups: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Community

An assembly of different species that coexist in the same area.

Habitat

The natural environment in which an organism lives.

Ecosystem

A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an ecosystem, important for ecosystem health and stability.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The concept that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist indefinitely.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances; includes plants and some bacteria.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance.

Cladogram

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms.

Phylogenetic Tree

A branching diagram representing the evolutionary history of a group of species.

Binomial Nomenclature

A two-part scientific naming system for species, consisting of the genus and species names.

Animalia

One of the kingdoms of life; multicellular organisms that are heterotrophic and lack cell walls.

Plantae

A kingdom comprised of multicellular, autotrophic organisms with cell walls made of cellulose.

Fungi

A kingdom that includes multicellular and unicellular decomposers, such as mushrooms.

Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem stability, provides essential resources, and helps prevent extinction.

Competition

A biological interaction where two or more species vie for the same resources.

Predation

A biological interaction where one organism hunts and consumes another.

Symbiosis

An interaction between two different organisms living in close physical proximity.

Fundamental Niche

The potential mode of life of a species in the absence of competition.

Realised Niche

The actual mode of life of a species due to the constraints of competition.