Biology: Classification Vocabulary

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)

specialized in taxonomy, developed a binomial system of naming organisms according to genus and species that is still used today.

Taxonomy

branch of Biology that names organisms

Classification

organization of objects or people to categories on the basis of shared characteristics.

binomial nomenclature

Classification system in which each species is assigned a 2 part scientific name

Taxa

group or level that an organism is classified (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)

Autotroph

organisms that make their own food (producers), plants are autotrophs because of photosynthesis

Heterotroph

organism that obtains energy from the foods it consumes or lives on; also called a consumer

Eukaryotic cells

Larger more complex cells with nucleus and membrane bound organelles (Kingdoms: Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, & Protista)

Prokaryotic cells

Small, simple, no nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, single celled organisms only (Kingdoms Archaebacteria & Eubacteria)

Eubacteria Kingdom

Kingdom of unicellular prokaryotes that have cell walls containing peptidoglycan, some can make us sick others are beneficial

Archaeabacteria Kingdom

Kingdom of unicellular prokaryotes that have cell walls that do NOT contain peptidoglycan and live in extreme environments

Protista Kingdom

unicellular or simple multicellular eukaryotic organisms that generally do not fit in any other kingdom

Fungi Kingdom

Kingdom composed of heterotrophs; many obtain energy and nutrients from dead organic matter, usually multicellular

Plantae Kingdom

Kingdom of multicellular photosynthetic autotrophs that have cell walls containing cellulose

Animalia Kingdom

A kingdom made up of complex, multicellular organisms that lack cell walls, can usually move around, and quickly respond to their environment.

Domain

A taxonomic category above the kingdom level. The three domains are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Largest Taxa.

Kingdom

large taxonomic group, consisting of closely related phyla

genus and species

two parts to the scientific name of an organism

scientific name

is the same for all scientists all over the world, 2 part name, usually Latin, Italicized font, Genus then Species

common name

a nonscientific term that may vary from region to region (for example , Puma, Mountain Lion, Cougar)

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species or group of related species

cladogram/phylogenetic tree

a branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among organisms

shared traits

traits that organisms have in common

derived trait

New feature that had not appeared in common ancestors, found below the line on a cladogram

Speciation

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Evolution

The gradual change in a species over time

Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

dichotomous key

step by step approach to identify an organism using a series of paired descriptions

Node (on a cladogram)

a place where a branch splits off from the rest of the cladogram

homologus structures

similar structures that related species have inherited from a common ancestor

molecular cladogram

uses DNA or amino acids sequences to determine relationships between organisms, quantitative data is used to classify organisms

endosymbiotic theory

theory that eukaryotic cells formed from a symbiosis among several different prokaryotic organisms