AP Bio Plants and Animals

Taxonomy

the ordered division and naming of organisms

Systematics

the discipline that classifies organisms and determines their evolutionary relationships

Phylogeny

the evolutionary history of a species or group of related species

Binomial nomenclature

the two part scientific name of a species

Genus

the first part of the binomial name

Specific epithet

the second part of the binomial name

Carolus Linnaeus

the scientist who developed a system of taxonomy based on resemblances

Taxonomic groups

domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Phylogenetic tree

a diagram that shows evolutionary relationships

Cladogram

a branching diagram depicting evolutionary relationships

Domain

the highest taxonomic category

Kingdom

a major taxonomic group

Protists

a broad group of eukaryotes, including unicellular eukaryotes

Fungi

organisms like mushrooms, molds, and yeast that are heterotrophic with cell walls made of chitin

Plants

multicellular autotrophic organisms with cellulose cell walls

Angiosperms

the most advanced plants with flowers and enclosed seeds

Pollination

the transfer of pollen from one plant to another for fertilization

Coevolution

the evolution of interacting species in response to each other

Endosperm development

the process of seed formation and dormancy after fertilization

Animals

multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms

Invertebrates

animals without a backbone, comprising 97% of animal species

Vertebrates

animals with a backbone, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals

Epithelial tissue

tissue that covers the body and lines organs and cavities

Connective tissue

tissue that binds and supports other tissues

Muscle tissue

tissue responsible for movement, including skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle

Nervous tissue

tissue that senses stimuli and transmits signals throughout the body

Feedback control

the regulation of internal environments in animals to maintain homeostasis

Homeostasis

the maintenance of internal balance within an organism

Negative feedback

a mechanism that counteracts a stimulus to return to a normal state

Positive feedback

a mechanism that amplifies a stimulus and does not typically contribute to homeostasis

Minimum metabolic rate

the energy required by an organism at rest

Ectotherms

animals with lower metabolic rates than endotherms

Endotherms

animals with higher metabolic rates, often regulated internally

Tissues

groups of cells with similar structure and function

Organs

structures composed of tissues that perform specific functions

Organ systems

groups of organs working together to perform vital functions

Hyphae

thread like structures in fungi responsible for nutrient absorption

Exoenzymes

enzymes secreted by fungi for digestion of extracellular materials

Spore

a reproductive cell in fungi that can develop into a new organism

Bryophytes

primitive plants like mosses that lack a vascular system and seeds

Gymnosperms

plants that bear cones and have naked seeds

Angiosperms

flowering plants that have seeds enclosed in fruits

Vascular system

a network of tissues in plants that transport water, nutrients, and sugars

Chlorophyll

the green pigment in plants responsible for photosynthesis

Pollination by wind

the process by which pollen is carried by wind, typically in grasses and trees

Pollination by animals

the process by which animals transfer pollen between flowers

Coevolution of flower and pollinator

when plants and their pollinators evolve in response to one another

Amniotic egg

an egg that contains a membrane that protects the embryo, found in reptiles, birds, and mammals

Endosperm

tissue in seeds that provides nutrients to the developing embryo

Dormancy

a period in which a seed remains inactive and does not grow

Seed coat

a hard outer covering that protects the seed

Dispersal by wind

the spread of seeds or fruits through wind, such as dandelions or maple seeds

Dispersal by water

the spread of seeds or fruits through water, like coconut seeds

Dispersal by animals

the spread of seeds or fruits through animals, such as through feces or attachment to fur

Metabolism

the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in an organism

Resting metabolic rate

the rate of energy expenditure at rest

Cold blooded

animals that regulate body temperature through external sources, such as ectotherms

Warm blooded

animals that regulate body temperature internally, such as endotherms

Metabolic rate

the rate at which an organism uses energy

Thermoregulation

the process by which animals maintain their body temperature

Nucleus

a membrane bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic material

Membrane bound organelles

organelles that are surrounded by membranes, like the nucleus and mitochondria

Autotrophic

organisms that produce their own food, like plants through photosynthesis

Heterotrophic

organisms that must consume other organisms for energy

Unicellular

organisms made up of a single cell

Multicellular

organisms made up of multiple cells

Reproduce sexually

organisms that reproduce by combining genetic material from two parents

Reproduce asexually

organisms that reproduce without the need for genetic material from another individual

Chitin

the material that makes up the cell walls of fungi

Non motile

organisms that do not move on their own

Vascular plants

plants that have a vascular system for transporting water and nutrients

Non vascular plants

plants that lack a vascular system, like bryophytes

Cellulose

the carbohydrate that makes up the cell walls of plants

Amoeba

a type of protist known for its movement and feeding method called phagocytosis

Diatom

a type of protist known for its silica based cell wall

Seaweed

large, multicellular algae found in aquatic environments

Kelp

a type of large seaweed found in coastal areas

Yeast

a unicellular fungus used in baking and fermentation

Mushrooms

the reproductive structures of some fungi

Molds

multicellular fungi that grow in filaments called hyphae

Mitochondria

organelles that produce energy through cellular respiration

Plasma membrane

the lipid bilayer that surrounds the cell and controls what enters and exits

Central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information

Peripheral nervous system

the network of nerves that connects the central nervous system to the body

Neurons

cells that transmit nerve impulses throughout the body

Glial cells

cells that support and protect neurons

Skeletal muscle

muscle tissue responsible for voluntary movement

Smooth muscle

muscle tissue responsible for involuntary movements, like digestion

Cardiac muscle

muscle tissue responsible for the contraction of the heart

Cell wall

a rigid outer layer found in plant cells, fungi, and some bacteria

Plasmid

small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria

Cilia

hair like structures on the surface of some cells, used for movement or sensing the environment

Flagella

long, whip like structures used for movement in some organisms

Endoplasmic reticulum

an organelle involved in protein and lipid synthesis

Golgi apparatus

an organelle responsible for packaging and transporting proteins and lipids

Lysosome

an organelle that contains enzymes for digestion and waste removal

Vesicle

small membrane bound sacs used for transport within the cell

Mitosis

the process of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells

Meiosis

the process of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and eggs)

Chloroplast

an organelle in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis