biology test

Characteristics of Life

MRS GREN: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition.

Movement

Ability of living things to move or change position.

Respiration

Release of energy from glucose.

Sensitivity

Ability to respond to the environment.

Growth

Permanent increase in size or cell number.

Reproduction

Process of making offspring.

Excretion

Removal of waste, such as CO₂ and urea.

Nutrition

Taking in and using nutrients.

Levels of Organisation

Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system → Organism.

Taxonomy Hierarchy

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

Binomial Nomenclature

Two-word Latin naming system: Genus species, established by Carl Linnaeus.

Dichotomous Keys

A series of choices that lead to identification through 'yes/no' or 'either/or' questions.

Cladograms

Diagrams showing evolutionary relationships, common ancestors, and shared traits.

Prokaryotes

Unicellular organisms with no nucleus, such as bacteria.

Protists

Mostly unicellular eukaryotes, some plant-like (algae) and some animal-like (amoeba).

Fungi

Mostly multicellular organisms with a cell wall of chitin, heterotrophic, absorb food.

Plants

Multicellular organisms with cell walls of cellulose, capable of photosynthesis.

Monocots

Plants with 1 cotyledon, parallel leaf veins, flower parts in 3s, and fibrous roots.

Dicots

Plants with 2 cotyledons, branching veins, flower parts in 4s or 5s, and taproot systems.

Kingdoms of Living Things

Five kingdoms: Monera (Prokaryotes), Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals.

Example of Binomial Name

Lion: Panthera leo.

Photosynthesis

Not a characteristic shared by all living organisms.

Interbreeding Species

Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Difference between Fungi and Plants

Fungi have a chitin cell wall and no chloroplasts.