Topic 1: Classification & Characterization Of Organisms

What does sensibility refer to?

The ability of detect and respond to the changes in an environment.

What is growth in organisms?

Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass, seen in all organisms as they produce new cells.

What are species?

A group of organisms with similar features and interbreed with each other to reproduce fertile offsprings.

What is reproduction?

The process that makes more of the same organism/species. (though not all individuals can reproduce.)

What is excretion?

Excretion is the process of removing waste products and excess substances, like extra water, from the organism.

Why do plants stay in one place?

Plants do not need to move for food and use energy efficiently.

What key features do plant cells contain?

Plant cells contain a nucleus, cell walls made of cellulose, and often chloroplasts.

What parts might plants have?

Plants might have roots, stems, and leaves, although some may not have these parts.

What are the main kingdoms of organisms?

The main kingdoms are animal, plant, fungus, prokaryote, and protoctist.

How many characteristics do all organisms share?

Seven characteristics.

What is movement in organisms?

The action by a living organism to change one position of a part or the whole organism.

What does growth mean in organisms?

Organisms start small and grow by adding cells.

What does sensibility refer to in organisms?

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.

What do organisms produce from their metabolic reactions?

Unwanted or toxic waste that must be removed from the body.

What do organisms take from their environment?

Substances for energy or to make new cells.

What do all organisms do with glucose and other substances?

They break them down in their cells to release usable energy.

What is respiration in organisms?

A process by which a living organism releases energy stored in food.

Where does respiration occur?

In every living cell.

What is the energy produced from respiration used for?

For other chemical reactions, collectively known as metabolism.

What is the binomial naming system?

A system to name species using two words.

What is the first word in the binomial naming system?

The genus.

What is the second word in binomial system?

The species.

What type of cells do animals have?

Cells with a nucleus but lack cell walls and chloroplasts.

What is the plant kingdom primarily composed of?

Flowering plants, like trees.

What parts do flowering plants have?

Leaves, stems, roots, and flowers.

What do ferns and mosses lack that flowering plants have?

Flowers

What pigment gives plants their green color?

Chlorophyll.

What does chlorophyll help plants do?

Absorb sunlight to create sugars through photosynthesis.

What type of organisms can be found in the prokaryote kingdom?

Multicellular or unicellular organisms, primarily bacteria.

Do prokaryotic cells have a nucleus?

No, prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.

What is one of the main feeding strategies of prokaryotes?

Some feed by photosynthesis, while others feed on organic substances made by other organisms.

What are characteristic features of prokaryotes?

Usually unicellular, no nucleus, cell walls not made of cellulose, no mitochondria, circular loop of DNA free in cytoplasm, may have plasmids.

How do prokaryotic cells differ from cells in other kingdoms?

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.

What are some groups within the animal kingdom?

Vertebrates and arthropods.

What is a key characteristic of fungal cell walls?

They are not made of cellulose.

How do fungi obtain nutrients?

They feed on organic material like faeces, human foods, and dead plants or animals.

What role do fungi typically play in the ecosystem?

Decomposers, returning nutrients to the soil.

How do fungi reproduce?

By forming spores.

What are some uses of fungi?

Edible mushrooms, yeast for bread and ethanol, and antibiotics like penicillin.

Are fungi mostly unicellular or multicellular?

Mostly multicellular, but some like yeast are unicellular.

Do fungi have nuclei?

Yes, they have nuclei.

How do fungi absorb nutrients?

They digest waste organic material and absorb nutrients into their cells.

What are vertebrates?

Animals that have backbones, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

What are the main characteristics of fish?

Fish have scaly skin, gills for their whole life, fins, and lay shell-less eggs in water.

Where do adult amphibians typically live?

Most adult amphibians live on land but return to water to breed.

What is the life cycle of amphibians?

They start as tadpoles that live in water and transform into adults, which often live on land.

What type of eggs do amphibians lay?

Amphibians lay shell-less eggs in water.

What are protoctists?

A diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, including algae, protozoa, and slime molds.

How do protoctists obtain nutrients?

Some are autotrophic (produce their own food) and others are heterotrophic (consume organic material).

What type of habitats do protoctists thrive in?

Aquatic environments, both freshwater and marine, as well as moist terrestrial habitats.

What is a significant characteristic of the cellular structure of protoctists?

Protoctists are unicellular or multicellular organisms without specialized tissues.

What is an example of a protoctist that is autotrophic?

Chlorella or any green algae.

What is an example of a protoctist that is heterotrophic?

Amoeba or paramecium.

How do protoctists reproduce?

They reproduce asexually

What are the aquatic organisms that breathe through gills?

Crabs, lobsters, and woodlice.

How many pairs of jointed legs do arthropods have?

More than four pairs.

How many pairs of antennae do arthropods possess?

Two pairs.

Which organisms are classified as arachnids?

Spiders, ticks, and scorpions.

Where do arachnids generally live?

Land.

What are ferns?

Plants with leaves called fronds that reproduce by spores.

Do ferns produce flowers?

No, they reproduce by means of spores.

What is the height range for ferns?

Most are small, but some can be as tall as 20 m.

What type of skin do reptiles have?

Scaly skin.

What are the char

Eggs with a soft, waterproof shell.

What identifies birds?

Feathers.

What are the characteristic features of birds?

Feathers, scales on their legs, beaks, fore limbs that develops into wings, and eggs with hard shells.

What are mammals identified by?

Having fur/hair on their skin, outer ear flaps, various types of teeth.

What unique reproductive structures do mammals have?

Uterus and placenta.

What is a key feature of mammals regarding offspring?

Only mammals produce milk to feed their young.

How do mammals and birds share common features?

Both can control body temperature and have a four-chambered heart.

What are the main structures of non-flowering plants?

Roots, stems, and leaves (fronds).

Do non-flowering plants produce flowers?

No.

How do non-flowering plants reproduce?

By spores produced on the undersides of their fronds.

What distinguishes flowering plants?

They reproduce by producing flowers.

What types of teeth do mammals have?

They have incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

What type of glands do mammals have in their skin?

They have sweat glands.

What is a key respiratory muscle in mammals?

They have a diaphragm.

What defines arthropods?

They are animals with jointed legs and no backbone.

What kind of protective covering do arthropods have?

They have a waterproof exoskeleton.

How do arthropods adapt to living on land?

Their waterproof exoskeleton supports their bodies.

What are examples of arthropod types?

Insects, crustaceans, arachnids, and myriapods.

What features characterize insects?

Insects have three pairs of jointed legs, two pairs of wings, and breathe through tracheae.

What are the body sections of insects?

Their body is divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen.

How many pairs of antennae do insects have?

They have one pair of antennae.

What type of organization do vascular bundles have in the stem?

Vascular bundles are arranged randomly in the stem.

Do viruses cause illnesses? Name some.

Yes, viruses cause illnesses such as colds, flu, and serious diseases like AIDS.

Why are viruses not considered living organisms?

Viruses are not considered living organisms because they only exist until they enter a living cell and cannot perform life functions on their own.

What happens to the host cell when a virus hijacks it?

The host cell usually dies when a virus hijacks it to make copies of itself.

What are the basic parts of flowering plants?

Roots, stems, and leaves.

How do flowering plants reproduce?

Using flowers and seeds.

Where are seeds produced in flowering plants?

Inside an ovary, in the flower.

What are the two main groups of flowering plants?

Dicotyledons and monocotyledons.

What structure do the seeds of flowering plants contain?

'Seed leaves' or cotyledons.

What are some examples of a flowering plant?

Monocots & Dicots

How many cotyledons (seed plants) do monocots have?

One

How many cotyledons (seed plants) do dicots have?

Two

What do monocots have?

Fibrous/Branched Roots and parallel veins on their leaves.

How many petals do dicots have?

Multiples of 4 or 5

What is one example of dicots?

Beans & Tomatoes

What is one example of monocots?

Maize plants