Grade 11 Biology- Biodiversity

genetic Diversity

the genetic variability among organisms; usually referring to individuals of the same species

structural diversity

the range of physical shapes and sizes within a habitat or ecosystem

species diversity

the measure of diversity the takes into account the quantity of each species present, as well as the variety of different species present

biodiversity

the number and variety of species and ecosystems on Earth

taxonomy

the science of classifying all organisms; taxonomists classify both living and fossil species

binomial nomenclature

the formal system of naming species whereby each species is assigned a genus name followed by a specific name; the two words together form the species name

genus

a taxonomic level containing a similar group of species

species

all organisms capable of breeding freely with each other under natural conditions

kingdom

the highest taxonomic level of the traditional Linnaean system of classification

domain

the highest taxonomic level; there are three domains of life

phylogeny

the study of the evolutionary relatedness between, and among species

clade

a taxonomic group that includes a single common ancestor and all of its descendants

DNA barcoding

a pattern of bands on a gel that is unique to each individual

prokaryote

a single celled organism that does not contain membrane bound organelles

eukaryote

any organism that contains organelles; some may be single celled while others are multicellular

decomposer

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms

autotroph

an organism that uses sources of energy to produce nutrients from water, gases or minerals

heterotroph

an organism that obtains energy-rich nutrients from living or dead organsms

aerobe

bacteria that uses oxygen for respiration

anaerobe

bacteria that don't require oxygen.

facultative aerobe

organism that can live with or without oxygen

halophile

organisms that require high salt for cell growth.

psychrophile

organisms that prefer extremely cold environments

thermophile

organisms that prefer extremely hot environments

methanogen

organisms who prefer oxygen lacking environments and produce methane gas

epidemic

a large scale outbreak of disease; usually confined to a limited geographic region

pandemic

an epidemic that occurs over a widespread geographic area, often globally

transduction

a type of gene transfer where a virus transfers DNA from one bacterium to another

viroid

a very small, infectious piece of RNA responsible for some serious diseases in plants

prion

abnormally shaped infectious protein responsible for brain diseases is mammals; including humans

motile

capable of movement

sessile

attached to one place, unable to move

gullet

An indentation in one side of an organism which is used to obtain food.

cilia

Hairlike projections that extend from the plasma membrane and are used for locomotion

conjugation

A temporary union of two organisms for the purpose of DNA transfer.

binary fission

the division of one parent cell into two genetically identical daughter cells; form of asexual reproduction

spore formation

when haploid cells with a hard protective coat develop into a new organisms; form of asexual reproduction

mycelium

a branched mass of hyphae

hyphae

filaments of fungi

chitin

a complex chemical found in the cells walls of fungi and in the external coverings of insects and crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs

charophyte

the common name for organisms in the order of charophyceae; green algae in the kingdom of protista

cellulose

A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many organisms

cuticle

a waterproof, waxy surface produced by the epidermis of most plants

stomata

One of many openings in a leaf or a stem of a plant that enable gas exchange to occur.

bryophyte

a small seedless plant that lacks vascular tissue

lycophyte/pterophyte

seedless, vascular plant

gymnosperm

a vascular plant that produces seeds in special structures called cones; are a major plant group

angiosperm

a plant that produces flowers; are the largest group of living plants

flagellated protist

the last common ancestor of all animals

protostome

an animal with bilateral symmetry, during embryonic development, the mouth formed before the anus.

deuterosome

an animal with bilateral symmetry, during embryonic development, the anus is formed before the mouth.

vertebrate

an animal with a backbone or a notochord

invertebrate

an animal that does not have a backbone; a great majority of the animal species is this.

notochord

a flexible rod found in some chordates; in most modern chordates it is replaced by vertebrae during embryonic development

coelom

a body cavity present in some animals; contains the animal's internal organs

porifera

sponge-like animal

cnidaria

invertebrate animal characterized by their ability to sting; mostly found in marine environments

arthropoda

phylum of animals with hard, segmented bodies and jointed appendages, including arachnids and insects

nematoda

phylum of worms including species parasitic in humans and plants as well as free-living nonparasitic species in soil or water.

mollusca

(snails, clams, squids, octopuses) have a soft body that in many species is protected by a hard shell

rotifera

minute worms which usually have one or two groups of vibrating cilia on the head, which, when in motion, often give an appearance of rapidly revolving wheels

platyhelminthes

Flatworms

echinoderm

spiny skinned (sea urchins, sand dollars, sea cucumbers)

chordates

Animals that have a notochord that supports the body( or a backbone)

hermaphrodite

An individual that functions as both male and female in sexual reproduction by producing both sperm and eggs.

nematocysts

Small capsules that contain a toxin which is injected into prey or predators

segmented

Bodies are made up of linked sections called segments

unsegmented

Bodies that are not made up of linked sections called segments

pathogenic

capable of causing disease.

annelida

Segmented worms