Biology and Taxonomy: The Tree of Life

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering taxonomy, types of bacteria, archaeans, and various protists based on biology lecture notes.

Taxonomy

The scientific study of naming and classifying organisms.

Carl Linnaeus

Known as the father of modern taxonomy.

Prokaryotes

Single-cell organisms that do not have membrane-bound organelles and have DNA located inside their cytoplasm.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with one or more cells that have membrane-bound organelles and a true nucleus; known as a complete cell.

Cocci

Sphere-shaped bacteria.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spirochetes

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Streptococcus

A sphere-shaped bacteria that causes strep throat.

Staphylococcus aureus

Bacteria that causes staph infection, blisters, or inflammation in the skin with production of pus (milky fluid).

Cutibacterium

A rod-shaped bacteria that causes acne by eating oil.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Bacteria that lives in the gut or stomach and aids in digestion.

Shiga-toxin E. coli (STEC)

A bad species of E. coli that can cause diarrhea.

Bacillus clausii

A probiotic bacteria, such as Erceflora, that helps maintain a healthy gut.

Lactobacillus

Good bacteria commonly seen in Yakult.

Leptospira

Spiral-shaped bacteria found in the urine or feces of rats.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)

Bacteria that causes ulcers, which are holes in the stomach that lead to symptoms like vomiting with blood.

Cyanobacteria

Commonly known as blue-green algae, it is the only bacteria that can photosynthesize and is responsible for $20\%$ of the oxygen in the atmosphere.

Algal bloom

An overpopulation of algae that blocks sunlight, which can happen when there is a scarcity of resources.

Archaeans

Organisms that love extreme environmental conditions.

Halophile

Also known as Halo archaean, these organisms love environments that are too salty.

Thermophile

Archaeans that love extreme temperatures that are too hot.

Methanogens

Archaeans that release methane gas.

Amoeba

Protozoa that alter their shapes by extending pseudopods, also known as false feet.

Paramecium

Protists that live in fresh water and brackish stagnant environments and move by cilia (hair-like structures).

Diatoms

Unicellular autotrophic protists that produce oxygen.

Slime molds

Unicellular and multicellular heterotrophic protists that live in decaying matter like dead trees or leaves.

Kelp

Multicellular autotrophic tall grasses that live underwater and produce oxygen.

Phytoplankton

The greatest producer of oxygen, responsible for $50\%$ to $70\%$ of oxygen levels.

Dinoflagellates

A type of phytoplankton that produces bioluminescence; overpopulation causes red tide.

Kingdom Animalia

A kingdom of multicellular heterotrophs (by ingestion) that includes all animals.