Biology Classification and Endosymbiotic Theory

Flashcards covering key concepts in the classification of life forms and the endosymbiotic theory.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, evolved from prokaryotic cells about 1 billion years ago.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, characterized by their nucleoid region.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that eukaryotic cells originated when a prokaryotic cell engulfed another prokaryotic cell, leading to a mutually beneficial relationship resulting in organelles.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food for energy through processes such as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume other organisms to obtain energy and nutrients.

Taxonomy

The science of classification of organisms into groups based on similarities.

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank, which includes three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Amoeba Sisters

An educational YouTube channel that provides explanations about biology concepts, including endosymbiosis.

Mycelium

A network of fungal threads or hyphae, often found underground, that forms the main structure of fungi.

Viruses

Tiny non-living particles that can reproduce only within a host cell and can infect all living organisms.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.

Capsid

The outer protein coat of a virus, which determines its shape.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, believed to have originated from cyanobacteria.

Mitochondrion

An organelle in eukaryotic cells that produces energy, believed to have evolved from a free-living aerobic bacterium.

Peptidoglycan

A substance forming the cell wall of many bacteria, which is absent in Archaebacteria.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes, where a cell divides into two identical cells.

Saprophytes

Organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter, primarily referring to certain fungi.

Symbiosis

An interaction between two different organisms living in close physical proximity, often to the advantage of both.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that makes up the cell walls of fungi.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate that makes up the cell walls of plants.

Eubacteria

A domain of prokaryotic organisms characterized by their peptidoglycan cell wall.

Archaebacteria

A domain of prokaryotic organisms that live in extreme environments and lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls.