Biological Classification and Taxonomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering the hierarchy, domains, kingdoms, and characteristics of organisms based on lecture notes.

Taxonomy

The broader science that involves the identification, naming, and classification of organisms based on shared characteristics.

Biological classification

The grouping of organisms based on anatomy, development, mode of nutrition, level of organization, and biochemical composition into a structured hierarchy.

Carolus Linnaeus

A Swedish botanist (1707-1778), or Car Von Linne, known as the father of taxonomy and the originator of binomial nomenclature.

Species

A group of organisms with very similar features that can interbreed among themselves.

Binomial nomenclature

A system of naming organisms using two names, such as Homo sapiens for human beings.

Nucleoid

The central part of a prokaryotic cell where the DNA is found.

Peptidoglycan

Also known as murein, the substance that makes up the cell wall of bacteria.

Gram positive bacteria

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer and no outer lipid membrane that test positive and show violet or Purple colour after staining.

Gram negative bacteria

Bacteria with a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer lipid membrane that retain a pink colour after staining and are more resistant to antibodies.

Rhizopoda

A class of protozoans that move with pseudopodia, such as amoeba.

Ciliophora

A class of protozoans that move with cilia, such as paramecium.

Mastigophora

A class of protozoans that move with flagellum, such as thricomonas.

Sporozoa

A class of protozoans with no organelle for movement, relying on gliding, twisting, and bending, such as plasmodium.

Hyphae

Thread-like structures that compose the body of most non-motile fungi.

Mycelium

A mass or bunch of hyphae that constitutes the vegetative body of a fungus.

Coenocytic hyphae

Non-septate hyphae that lack internal cross-walls (septae).

Holocarpic fungi

Fungi that use their entire thallus (body) to produce reproductive structures, converting the whole organism into a fruiting body.

Cryptogam

A group of non-flowering plants including Thallophyta, Bryophyta, and Pteridophyta.

Phanerogams

Flowering plants, specifically the spermatophytes.

Vascular plants

Plants with vascular bundles (xylem and phloem), including Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta.

Sporophyte

A multicellular diploid organism ($2n$) that produces spores by meiosis.

Gametophyte

A multicellular haploid organism ($n$) that produces gametes by mitosis.

Antheridium

The male organ of a gametophyte that produces sperms.

Archegonium

The female organ of a gametophyte that produces eggs.

Thallophyta

Plant-like organisms with a thallus body that lack differentiated leaves, roots, stems, and a vascular system.

Bryophyta

Non-vascular land plants known as 'plant amphibians' because they require water for fertilization.

Pteridophyta

Vascular seedless plants that possess true roots, stems, and leaves and represent the first plants to evolve on land.

Gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants with naked (unenclosed) seeds and reproductive organs known as cones.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants where seeds are enclosed within an ovary, which usually becomes a fruit.

Cephalization

The presence of sensory organs, mouth, nerve ganglia, and brain at the front (head) of an animal.

Porifera

Pore-bearing animals commonly called sponges which are asymmetrical diploblastic acoelomates.

Cnidocytes

Specialized stinging cells in the epidermis of coelenterates used to capture prey.

Nematocyst

The staining structure contained within a cnidocyte.

Acoelomate

An organism that lacks a coelom or true body cavity.

Pseudocoelomate

Organisms that possess a false body cavity (pseudocoelom), such as roundworms (Nematoda).

Ecdysis

The process of molting or shedding the exoskeleton in arthropods.

Notochord

A longitudinal, cartilaginous rod providing support for the nerve cord in chordates.

Poikilothermic

Cold-blooded organisms, such as fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, whose body temperature varies with the environment.

Homoeothermic

Warm-blooded animals, such as aves and mammalia, that maintain a constant body temperature.

Monotremes

An ancient form of mammals that lay eggs, such as the platypus.

Marsupial

Mammals that give birth to barely formed offspring that continue development in a pouch on the mother’s belly.

Placental Mammals

Mammals whose offspring grow fully inside the mother's womb and receive nourishment via the umbilical cord and placenta.