Diversity of Life: Differentiating Organisms

Flashcards focusing on key vocabulary from the study of animal diversity and distinguishing characteristics.

Eukaryotic

Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes.

Heterotrophic

Organisms that obtain their food by consuming other living things.

Multicellular

Organisms that are composed of multiple cells that work together.

Deuterostome

A group of animals where the anus develops before the mouth during embryonic development.

Protostome

A group of animals in which the mouth develops before the anus in the embryonic stage.

Symmetry

The balanced distribution of duplicate body parts or shapes within the body.

Radial symmetry

A body plan in which body parts are arranged around a central axis.

Bilateral symmetry

A body plan in which the body has a left and right side that are mirror images of each other.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history and relationships among a species or group of species.

Apomorphic characteristics

Derived traits that are unique to a particular group, distinguishing it from others.