Introductory Botany Lecture - Biodiversity and the Age of Bacteria

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to biodiversity, the historical development of life on Earth, and the significance of microorganisms in the context of botany.

Biodiversity

The variety and variability of life forms on Earth, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations.

Deep Time

A term used to describe the vast time scale of Earth's history, particularly emphasizing the long geological periods over which life's evolution has occurred.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; includes archaebacteria and eubacteria.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes; this group includes plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Endosymbiosis

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives inside the cells of another; provides a model for the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic ancestors.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen, contributing to the atmospheric oxygen levels and known as blue-green algae.

Extinction Rate

The rate at which species become extinct; has implications for biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Proterozoic Era

The geological era from about 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago, marked by significant changes in Earth's biosphere prior to the Cambrian explosion.

Geological Calendar

A timeline that illustrates the major geological and biological events in Earth's history, marking the time spans of different geological periods.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Aerobic Respiration

A form of cellular respiration that requires oxygen to produce energy from nutrients.

Archaebacteria

A group of prokaryotic microorganisms that are distinct from bacteria and are often found in extreme environments.

Extinction of Biodiversity

The loss of species over time, which can provide insights into the processes affecting current biodiversity levels.

Microfossils

Fossils of microscopic life forms, which are important for understanding the early history of life on Earth.

Stromatolites

Layered structures formed by the activity of microbial mats containing cyanobacteria, providing evidence for early life.

Hydrothermal Vents

Ecosystems found at mid-ocean ridges where heated water rich in minerals is expelled, supporting diverse biological communities based on chemosynthesis.