Understanding Biological Classification and Biodiversity

Classification

Science of naming and grouping organisms.

Taxonomy

Another term for biological classification.

Organisation

Easier access to massive biological information.

Communication

Global system for sharing scientific ideas.

Further study

Recognizing patterns and trends in organisms.

Linnaean classification

Current system based on hierarchical grouping.

Taxa

Eight levels of biological classification.

Hierarchical system

Higher levels contain more organisms.

Domain

Highest taxonomic rank in classification.

Kingdom

Second taxonomic rank, major group of organisms.

Phylum

Third taxonomic rank, groups related classes.

Class

Fourth taxonomic rank, groups related orders.

Order

Fifth taxonomic rank, groups related families.

Family

Sixth taxonomic rank, groups related genera.

Genus

Seventh taxonomic rank, groups related species.

Species

Eighth taxonomic rank, most specific grouping.

Eukarya

Domain containing organisms with nuclei.

Bacteria

Domain of simple single-celled organisms.

Archaea

Domain of extremophilic single-celled organisms.

Animalia

Kingdom of multicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotes.

Plantae

Kingdom of multicellular, autotrophic eukaryotes.

Fungi

Kingdom of mostly multicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotes.

Protista

Kingdom of eukaryotes not fitting into others.

Monera

Former grouping of Bacteria and Archaea.

Archaea

Prokaryotic organisms resembling eukaryotes genetically.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic

Cells without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Unicellular

Organisms consisting of a single cell.

Autotrophic

Organisms that produce their own food.

Heterotrophic

Organisms that consume other organisms for food.

Cell wall

Rigid outer layer providing structure to cells.

Extreme locations

Habitats where Archaea are commonly found.

Chordata

Animal phylum including vertebrates.

Arthropoda

Phylum of invertebrates with exoskeletons.

Annelids

Segmented worms, part of the animal kingdom.

Echinodermata

Phylum including starfish and sea urchins.

Mollusca

Phylum including shellfish and cephalopods.

Nematoda

Phylum of roundworms.

Platyhelminthes

Phylum of flatworms.

Cnidaria

Phylum including jellyfish and sea anemones.

Porifera

Phylum of sponges, simple aquatic animals.

Physical characteristics

Traits used for initial organism classification.

Morphological

Relating to the form and structure of organisms.

Exoskeleton

External skeleton providing support and protection.

Endoskeleton

Internal skeleton supporting the body.

Hydrostatic skeleton

Structure maintained by fluid pressure.

Symmetry

Balanced proportions in organism structure.

Bilateral symmetry

Divisible into two equal halves.

Radial symmetry

Divisible into multiple equal parts around a center.

Segmentation

Division of an organism into repeating sections.

Reproductive methods

Ways organisms reproduce, sexually or asexually.

Sexual reproduction

Involves gametes from two parents.

Asexual reproduction

Involves a single organism reproducing alone.

Fragmentation

Asexual reproduction where body splits and regenerates.

Binary fission

Asexual reproduction through cell division.

Spores

Reproductive units that can develop into new organisms.

Parthenogenesis

Reproduction from an unfertilized egg.

Gestation times

Duration of pregnancy in organisms.

Molecular sequencing

Technique for determining DNA and RNA sequences.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Molecule carrying genetic information in organisms.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Molecule involved in protein synthesis.

Cladograms

Diagrams showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Speciation

Formation of new species through evolution.

Phylogenetic trees

Diagrams representing evolutionary history of organisms.

Cladogram

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Clade

All descendants of a common ancestor.

Monophyletic

Group containing all descendants of an ancestor.

Paraphyletic

Group missing some descendants of an ancestor.

Polyphyletic

Group from multiple evolutionary branches.

Biodiversity

Range of different living organisms in an area.

Genetic Biodiversity

Variability in gene pools within a species.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variation of ecosystems in different environments.

Species Biodiversity

Number of different species in an ecosystem.

Genetic Diversity Importance

Enables evolution and adaptation through natural selection.

S. Aureus

Bacteria causing skin conditions, shows genetic diversity.

Ecosystem Productivity

Influence of one ecosystem on surrounding ecosystems.

Species Richness

Total number of different species in an ecosystem.

Species Evenness

Proportions of populations within an ecosystem.

Biodiversity Index

Measure considering richness and evenness of species.

Simpson's Biodiversity Index

Numerical measure of ecosystem diversity.

Biodiversity Hotspot

Region with high endemic species count.

Endemic Species

Species found only in a specific location.

Natural Selection

Process where organisms better adapted survive.

Antibiotic Resistance

Ability of bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment.

Malaria Resistance

Genetic condition providing protection against malaria.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem.

Habitat

Specific geographic location for organisms.

Environment

Set of biotic and abiotic factors in an area.

Biosphere

All living things on the planet.

Biome

Major category of ecosystems over large areas.

Ecosystem

Interacting system of living and non-living things.

Community

All living members of a specific area.

Population

All members of a species in an area.

Individual

A single organism within a population.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living chemical and physical components of environments.

Biotic Factors

Living components that affect ecosystems.

Distribution

How organisms are spread across an area.

Abundance

Population size of a species in an area.

Clumped Distribution

Organisms grouped together in patches.