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Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on The Living World.
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Life
A unique, complex organization of molecules whose chemical reactions lead to growth, development, responsiveness, adaptation, and reproduction.
Growth
Increase in number, mass, and size of cells; in plants it is continuous, while in most animals it stops after a certain age.
Reproduction
Production of progeny resembling parents; may be asexual or sexual, and is not universal among all living beings (e.g., mules, worker bees).
Metabolism
Sum total of all biochemical reactions in a living system; isolated metabolic reactions are ‘living reactions’ but not living things.
Consciousness
Ability of organisms to sense and respond to environmental stimuli; humans uniquely possess self-consciousness.
Cell
Basic structural and functional unit of life; life may be unicellular or multicellular.
Binomial Nomenclature
Two-part scientific naming system for organisms proposed by Carolus Linnaeus.
ICBN
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature that governs scientific names of plants.
ICZN
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature that governs scientific names of animals.
Taxonomy
Science of identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Series of taxonomic categories (species → genus → family → order → class → phylum/division → kingdom).
Taxon
Any rank or unit in the taxonomic hierarchy, such as species or genus.
Species
Lowest taxonomic category; a group of individuals with fundamental similarities capable of interbreeding.
Genus
Aggregate of closely related species (e.g., Panthera includes lion, tiger, leopard).
Family
Group of related genera showing fewer similarities than a genus (e.g., Felidae).
Order
Assemblage of related families (e.g., Carnivora includes Felidae and Canidae).
Class
Assemblage of related orders (e.g., Mammalia).
Phylum / Division
Assemblage of related classes; called division in plants (e.g., Chordata; Angiospermae).
Kingdom
Highest taxonomic category, grouping related phyla or divisions (e.g., Animalia, Plantae).
Botanical Garden
Specialized garden housing labeled living plant collections for reference and identification.
Royal Botanical Garden, Kew
Famous botanical garden located in England known for extensive plant collections.
Indian Botanical Garden, Howrah
Major botanical garden in West Bengal, India, serving research and reference purposes.
National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow
Indian institute maintaining botanical gardens and conducting plant research.
Taxonomic Key
Device for identifying species using paired contrasting statements (couplets).
Couplet
Pair of contrasting statements in a taxonomic key leading to alternative choices.
Lead
Each individual statement within a couplet of a taxonomic key.
Zoological Park (Zoo)
Facility where live wild animals are kept under human care for study of behavior and diet.
Museum
Collection of preserved plant and animal specimens for study and reference, including jars, dry mounts, and skeletons.
Herbarium
Repository of dried, pressed plant specimens mounted on sheets with detailed labels.
Flora
Document providing detailed accounts of the habitat and distribution of plant species in a region.
Manual
Guide offering information for identification of species found within a specific area.
Monograph
Comprehensive work focusing on a single taxon, providing detailed information.