The History of Life on Earth: Prokaryotes, Protists, and Fungi

A comprehensive set of flashcards that covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the history of life on Earth, focusing on prokaryotes, protists, and fungi.

LUCA

The Last Universal Common Ancestor, often referred to as 'Microbial Adam'. It is suggested to be the ancestor of all current life forms.

Anaerobic Prokaryotes

Simple bacteria that do not require oxygen and primarily derive energy through fermentation.

Photosynthesis

A process used by some organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct.

Bio-remediation

The use of microbial communities, particularly hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, to eliminate toxic substances like petroleum in marine systems.

Halophiles

Organisms that thrive in extremely high salinity environments, many of which are classified as archaea.

Thermophiles

Organisms that thrive at high temperatures, found between 113 and 252 °F, suspected to be some of the earliest prokaryotes.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms that lack a true nucleus, classified into two domains: Archaea and Bacteria.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit, such as the relationship between bivalve molluscs and sulfur/methane-oxidizing bacteria.

Eukarya

One of the three domains of life that includes all eukaryotic organisms, divided into the kingdoms: Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Pathogenic Bacteria

Bacteria that cause disease by synthesizing toxic substances, examples include Clostridium tetani and MRSA.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that break down nutrients from other organisms without ingesting food, characterized by cell walls made of chitin.

Spores

Reproductive cells produced by fungi that can develop into new organisms without the formation of embryos.

Yeast

A fungus that ferments sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, used in the production of beer, wine, and bread.

Decomposers

Organisms, including bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients in the ecosystem.

Nitrogen Cycle

The process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms, crucial for sustaining life; involves nitrogen-fixing, assimilation, nitrification, and denitrification.

Protists

Eukaryotic organisms that are not classified as plants, animals, or fungi, often unicellular or colonial and exhibit diverse features.