Untitled Flashcards Set

Biodiversity

The number and variety of species and ecosystems on Earth.

Species

All organisms with a similar shape and structure that are capable of breeding freely with each other under natural conditions.

Speciation

The evolutionary process in which populations evolve to become distinct species.

Hybridization

The cross breeding of two different species.

Morphology

The physical appearance and characteristics of an organism; the scientific study of physical characteristics.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy-rich nutrients by consuming other living or dead organisms.

Autotrophs

Organisms that create their own energy-rich nutrients using light, chemical reactions, etc.

Ecosystem

A community of living things interacting with non-living things.

Cell

The smallest unit of life.

Atoms

The smallest component of an element.

Prokaryotes

Small, simple cells without a membrane-bound nucleus, exemplified by all bacterial cells.

Eukaryotes

Large, complex cells with a membrane-bound nucleus, such as plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells.

Taxonomy

The science of naming organisms and assigning them to groups.

Systematics

The study of biodiversity and the relationships among organisms.

Linnaeus System of Classification

Developed by Swedish naturalist Linnaeus, this system uses binomial nomenclature to classify organisms into groups.

Binary fission

The division of one parent cell into two genetically identical daughter cells, a form of asexual reproduction. each cell receives exact copy of genetic material from parent cell (chromosome and plasmids). mutates 1000 times faster than eurkaryotes.

Endospore

A dormant structure that forms inside certain bacteria in response to stress; it protects the cell's chromosome from damage.

Peptidoglycan

A strong, mesh-like material made of sugars and amino acids that forms the cell wall of most bacteria.

Cocci

Spherical shaped bacteria.

Bacilli

Rod shaped bacteria.

Spirilla

Spiral shaped bacteria.

Algae

Plant-like protists that can carry out photosynthesis and are important for aquatic ecosystems and oxygen production.

Plasmodium

A genus of protists that causes malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Endosymbiosis

A relationship in which a single-celled organism lives within the cells of another organism.

Dichotomous key

A series of branching, two-part statements used to identify organisms.

Clade

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

Biosphere

the part of the earth where life exists, living organisms and their environments

What are organelles made of?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)

Do prokaryotes have a membrane bound nucleus

no

how do prokaryotes reproduce and what do they reproduce?

binary fission; single chromosome (haploid)

how do eukaryotes reproduce and what do they reproduce?

mitosis and meiosis; chromosomes paired (diploid or more)

what are the three domains of the tree of life?

bacteria, archaea, prokarya

what are the six kingdoms of life

animals, plants, fungi, protists, eubacteria, archaea

binomial nomenclature

grouped according to structural similarities, two name system, genus + species

phylogeny

reconstruction of evolutionary relationships, family tree style

where do archaebacteria live?

in extreme environments such as hot springs, salt lakes, and deep-sea vents.

what do prokaryotes do?

can be pathogens, work in the ecosystems (decomposition, production, nutrient cycling), gut health (B12 and K in the large intestine), commercial use (antibiotics, food), biotechnology

what are the 6 major groups of bacteria (eubacteria)

proteobacteria, green bacteria, cyanobacteria, gram positive bacteria, spirochetes, chlamydias

what is nutrient cycling

fixing or converting atmospheric nitrogen into chemical compounds to be used by plants. It is the process of exchanging nutrients and minerals between living organisms and the environment, including decomposition and recycling of organic matter.

prefix - stapylo

group

prefix - strepto

chain

prefix - diplo

two

steps to binary fission

step 1: chromosomes duplicate, copies separate

step 2: cell elongates, copies of chromosomes move to polls

step 3: cell divides into two daughter cells

what are the three ways eubacteria genetically recombine?

transduction, conjugation, transformation.

transduction

virus picks up dna from chromosome or plasmid and transfers it to another cell

conjugation

plasmid becomes a single strand of DNA and is transferred through a tube (hollow pillus) to another bacterial cell or plasmid

transformation

dead bacterium ruptures and DNA gets released. other bacterial cells pick up the DNA and incorporate it

plasmid

a small loop of DNA that codes for a few genes

proteobacteria (4)

• ancestors of mitochondria

• some do photosynthesis, some use a form of photosynthesis that is different from plants

• some are nitrogen fixing

• ex. bubonic plague, gonorrhea

green bacteria (2)

• use a form of photosynthesis

• found in salt water environments or hot springs

gram positive bacteria (4)

• cause many diseases, including anthrax, strep throat, meningitis

• used in food production (e.g. probiotic yogurt)

• some lost cell walls

• mycoplasms = smallest known cells

cyanobacteria (7)

• Ancestors of chloroplasts

• use a form of photosynthesis similar to plants and other eukaryotes

• form symbiotic relationships with fungi

• producers and nitrogen fixers in aquatic ecosystems

• blue green algae

• can double population in one hour

• create algae blooms which rob oxygen from water = kills fish

spirochetes (4)

• spiral shaped flagellum is embedded in its cytoplasm

• move with a corkscrew motion

• symbiotic spirochetes in termite intestine digest wood fibre

• causes syphilis

chlamydias (2)

• parasites that live within other cells

• cause chlamydia and trachoma

bacterial diseases (3)

• cause diseases by producing and releasing toxins in the body OR by releasing toxic compounds when the cell dies

• Antibiotics kill bacteria by releasing toxins 

• Prokaryotes and fungi produce antibiotics as chemical warfare because they are competing for resources 

Medical antibiotics (3)

• dont work on viruses

• specific to the type of bacteria

• work by inhibiting the cell’s ability to turn glucose into energy/ inhibiting the construction of a cell wall = bacterium dies but this only affects certain parts of the cell

why are archaebacteria their own kingdom?

chemical properties in their cell wall and membranes are unique and they lack peptidoglycan

what are the 3 well known archaebacteria?

anaerobic methogens, thermophiles, and halophiles.

anaerobic methogens

live in the gut of animals or at the bottom of marshes = how methane gas is produced

halophiles

“salt-loving” bacteria living in extreme salty conditions, such as the Dead Sea

thermophiles

bacteria that can tolerate very hot temperatures, and acidic conditions – these bacteria inhabit naturally forming hot springs

why did protistas develop?

they were the first eukaryotes.

•  developed from the folding of the cell membrane of an ancient prokaryotic cell which formed membrane bound organelles

• Mitochondria and chloroplasts were once prokaryotic but then were engulfed by early eukaryotic organisms and incorporated in

evidence for the origins of chloroplasts and mitochondria

1. present day mitochondria and chloroplasts have 2 membranes

2. the inner membrane of both organelles are similar to prokaryotes while the outer membrane is similar to eukaryotes

3. present day, both have their own internal chromosomes

4. These chromosomes are very similar to prokaryote chromosomes and contain genetic information used by the organelle

5. Both reproduce through binary fission as prokaryotes do

are protists multicellular or unicellular

both

are protists heterotrophs or autotrophs

both

how do protists reproduce

asexually with some exchange of DNA

where do protists live

in moist environments

what do amoebas, paramecium and euglena use to move

flagella, cilia, pseudopods (IN THAT SPECIFIC ORDER)

what are the 3 groups of protists

plant like, fungi like, animal like

facts about plant-like protists (4)

• live in moist environments

• asexual and sexual reproduction (through binary fission and conjugation)

• contain chloroplasts to carry out photosynthesis

• ex. phytoplankton, euglena

facts about animal-like protists (4)

• many are parasitic

• autotrophs (cannot make their own food, must move to find food)

• lives in water/animal bodily fluids

• ex. amoeba and plasmodium

facts about fungi-like protists (6)

• autotrophs

• decomposers

• reproduce asexually through spores

• prefer cool, shady, moist environments

• slimy trails as they move

• ex. slime molds, water molds

penicillin

In 1928 Dr Alexander Fleming returned from a holiday to find mould growing on a Petri dish of Staphylococcus bacteria. He noticed the mould seemed to be preventing the bacteria around it from growing. He soon identified that the mould produced a self-defence chemical that could kill bacteria.

are fungi multicellular or unicellular

both

are fungi prokaryotes or eukaryotes

eukaryotes, have membrane bound organelles and a nucleus

what is chitin

hard substance – makes up exoskeletons of insects, used to make cell wall in fungi

what is mycelium

underground branching structure of fungus, in charge of absorbing and transporting nutrients

what is the above ground part of fungi called

fruiting body, function is reproduction for spores

what are some diseases fungi cause

ringworm, athlete’s foot

do fungi have chloroplasts

no, get energy and nutrients from other organisms

are fungi heterotrophic or autotrophic?

heterotrophic

Which one if I pick will kill the fungi? 

mycelium

functions of fungi (4)

yeast, decomposers, eating or as ingredients, antibiotics (penicilin)

what do plants need? (5)

need sunlight, need specific nutrients (potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus), need water, need to exchange gases, need to reproduce

how do plants get energy from sunlight

through photosynthesis, carbohydrates

what are vascular plants

have stems and a complex transport system, e.g. rose

what are non vascular plants

do not have true stems, leaves or roots, absorb nutrients through diffusion, e.g. mosses

what are the 3 main non reproductive organs of a plant

stems, leaves, roots

what is vascular tissue

bundles of herbaceous stems with xylem (water) on the inside and phloem (sugar and minerals) on the outside

what are the two main parts of a vascular plant

root system and shoot system

what are angiosperms

a plant that produces flowers

what are gymnosperms

a vascular plant that produces seeds in special structures called cones

How do ferns and other vascular plants differ from angiosperms and gymnosperms? 

Ferns and other vascular plants reproduce with spores, not seeds, and don’t have flowers or cones.

role of root system (3)

• anchor the plant

• food storage

• absorb water and minerals

role of shoot system (3)

• support the plant

• transfer water and glucose from roots to leaves

• leaves and stems make sugars through photosynthesis

role of leaves (shoot system) (3)

• protection

• primary site of photosynthesis

• gas exchange

role of stem (shoot system) (4)

• hold leaves up to the sunlight

• transports and conducts various substances from roots to leaves

• food storage (water and sugar)

• protection

what are the two types of stems and which one performs photosynthesis

herbaceous stems and woody stems, herbaceous stems perform photosynthesis