Diversity of Life + Domains and Kingdoms

Mutation

Leads to variations within a species.

Natural Selection

The process through which adaptations improve a species' chances of survival, while harmful mutations may lead to extinction.

Species

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

Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms.

Carolus Linnaeus

The first person to develop a universal classification system for living organisms.

Binomial Nomenclature

A two-part naming system developed by Linnaeus that includes the Genus and species names.

Eukaryotic

Organisms that have cells with nuclei, including kingdoms like Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista.

Prokaryotic

Single-celled organisms without nuclei, categorized into Bacteria and Archaea.

Autotrophic

Organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances.

Heterotrophic

Organisms that obtain nutrition by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

Domain

The highest level of biological classification, encompassing Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea.

Kingdom

A level of classification under Domain, including Animalia, Fungi, Plantae, Protista, Eubacteria, and Archaebacteria.

Eubacteria

A group of common, single-celled prokaryotes with cell walls, often responsible for diseases.

Archaebacteria

A category of prokaryotes that thrive in extreme environments and are the most simplistic bacteria.

Protista

Mostly single-celled, can be autotrophic or heterotrophic, and can move.

Fungi

Mostly multicellular, cannot move, and act as heterotrophic decomposers.

Plantae

Multicellular organisms that are autotrophic and cannot move.

Animalia

Multicellular, can move, and are heterotrophic consumers.

Aristotle

Was the first to classify organisms, but his system was flawed.