Diversity of Life: Differentiating Organisms

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions from the biology lecture on the diversity of life and differentiating organisms.

Monocots

A group of flowering plants that germinate with only one leaf, have petals in sets of 3, and have a parallel venation pattern.

Dicots

A large group of flowering plants that germinate with two leaves, have floral parts in sets of 4 or 5, and exhibit a net-like vein arrangement.

Angiosperms

Vascular plants that produce flowers and seeds covered in an ovary, which develops into fruit.

Gymnosperms

Vascular plants with seeds that are 'naked', not covered by fruit, and include plants like pine trees.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars and nutrients produced during photosynthesis throughout the plant.

Alternation of Generations

The life cycle of plants that involves alternating between a haploid gametophyte stage and a diploid sporophyte stage.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular plants including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, which rely on water for reproduction.

Vascular plants

Plants that have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.

Pollen

The male gametophyte in seed plants that assists in the process of fertilization by transferring sperm to the ovule.

Pollinators

Insects or animals that facilitate the transfer of pollen from the male structures to the female structures of flowers.

Flagellated spores

Spores that have flagella for movement in water, typical of many nonvascular plants.

Echinodermata

A phylum of marine animals characterized by a radial symmetry and a water vascular system, including sea stars and sea urchins.

Tetrapods

A group of vertebrates that have four limbs, which includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two different organisms where at least one of the organisms benefits.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs, originally derived from symbiotic cyanobacteria.