level c English : diversity unit flash card

What is Biology?

The study of living things, how they grow, change, and interact with their environment.

What are the 7 characteristics of living things?

1. Made of cells, 2. Grow and develop, 3. Reproduce, 4. Use energy, 5. Respond to environment, 6. Maintain balance (homeostasis), 7. Evolve.

Diversity (in biological terms)

The variety of living things.

Species

A group of organisms that can reproduce and have fertile offspring.

Hybrid

An organism from two different species, such as a mule (horse + donkey).

Morphology

The shape and structure of organisms.

Biological classification

Grouping organisms based on similarities.

Forms of diversity among species

Include food supply, protection, transportation, reproduction, hygiene, digestion.

Ways diversity is lost

Habitat destruction, pollution, overhunting or overfishing, climate change.

What is a dichotomous key?

A tool used to identify organisms based on questions with two choices.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying living things.

Father of Taxonomy

Carl Linnaeus, who created a system to name and classify organisms.

Binomial Nomenclature

A two-part scientific naming system using Latin.

Linnaean Classification System order

Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species.

Phylogeny

The study of evolutionary history and relationships between organisms.

Clade

A group of organisms that share a common ancestor.

Three Domains of Life

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes have no nucleus; Eukaryotes have a nucleus.

Pathogen

A microorganism that causes disease.

Importance of Prokaryotes

Decomposers, help in digestion, used in making yogurt and medicine.

Mutualism

A relationship where two organisms help each other.

Bacteriophages

Viruses that infect bacteria.

Six Major Groups of Bacteria

Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Gram-positive, Spirochetes, Chlamydiae, Bacteroidetes.

Bacterial Characteristics

Shape, structure, metabolism, reproduction.

Examples of Bacterial Diseases

Tuberculosis, Strep throat, Lyme disease.

Antibiotics

Medicines that kill bacteria but do not work on viruses.

How Bacteria Become Resistant to Antibiotics

Bacteria evolve and develop ways to survive antibiotics.

Archaea Groups

Methanogens, Halophiles, Thermophiles, Psychrophiles.

Methanogenesis

A process where methanogens make methane gas.

Habitats of Extremophiles

Found in volcanoes, deep-sea vents, salt lakes, and icy places.

Viruses (structure)

Tiny particles made of DNA or RNA inside a protein coat.

Importance of Viruses

Some cause diseases; others are used in gene therapy.

Examples of Disease-Causing Viruses

Influenza, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19.

Epidemic vs. Pandemic

Epidemic spreads in one area; pandemic spreads worldwide.

Classification & Phylogeny of Viruses

Grouped by shape, type of genetic material, and how they infect cells.

Lytic vs. Lysogenic Cycle

Lytic cycle involves bursting of the cell; lysogenic cycle hides in DNA.

Lysis, Lysogeny, Transduction, Gene Transfer

Lysis: cell bursts; Lysogeny: virus DNA in host DNA; Transduction: gene transfer via virus.

Viral Diseases & Transmission

Airborne (e.g., flu), direct contact (e.g., HIV), insect bites (e.g., West Nile).

Gene Therapy

Using viruses to fix genetic diseases.

Viroids

Small pieces of RNA that infect plants.

Prions

Misfolded proteins that cause brain diseases.