bio lab practical

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank, encompassing three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Supergroup

A higher taxonomic category that groups multiple kingdoms, primarily used in Eukarya classification.

Kingdom

A taxonomic rank below domain, grouping related phyla.

Phylum

A taxonomic rank below kingdom, grouping related classes.

Class

A taxonomic rank below phylum, grouping related orders.

Order

A taxonomic rank below class, grouping related families.

Family

A taxonomic rank below order, grouping related genera.

Genus

A taxonomic rank below family, grouping related species.

Species

The basic unit of classification, representing individuals that can interbreed.

Binomial Nomenclature

A two-part naming system for species, consisting of genus and species names.

Clade

A group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.

Parsimony Principle

The principle that the simplest explanation, or the one requiring the least number of assumptions, is preferred.

Synapomorphy

A shared derived character that is used to determine evolutionary relationships.

Three Domains of Life

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya; the highest classification of life.

Prokaryotes

Organisms with simple cell structures and no membrane-bound nucleus.

Bacteria Anatomy

Characteristics include lack of a nucleus, presence of a cell wall, and sometimes flagella.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction method where a single organism divides to form two identical cells, e.g., binary fission.

Gram-Positive Bacteria

Bacteria that stain purple due to a thick peptidoglycan layer.

Gram-Negative Bacteria

Bacteria that stain pink due to a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer envelope.

Bacterial Shapes

Types include Coccus (spherical), Bacillus (rod-shaped), Spirillum (spiral), and Vibrio (comma-shaped).

Bacterial Aggregations

Groupings in bacteria, such as cyanobacteria, which consist of heterocysts and vegetative cells.

Bacterial Culture Methods

Methods of growing bacteria, including non-selective media for all and selective media for specific types.

16s rRNA Sequencing

A technique used to identify unculturable bacteria through genetic analysis.

Spirochaetes

A major bacterial phylum characterized by corkscrew-shaped bacteria.

Actinobacteria

A major bacterial phylum that is Gram-positive.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria capable of nitrogen fixation; precursors to chloroplasts.

Proteobacteria

A major bacterial phylum that is Gram-negative and believed to be the origin of mitochondria.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with complex cells that contain organelles and a nucleus.

Excavata

One of the supergroups of eukaryotes, including unicellular organisms with a feeding groove.

Archaeplastida

A eukaryotic supergroup that includes green algae and red algae.

Alveolata

Eukaryotic supergroup containing organisms with alveoli, including ciliates and Apicomplexa.

Stramenopila

A eukaryotic supergroup known for 'straw-haired' flagella, including diatoms and brown algae.

Rhizaria

A eukaryotic supergroup of amoebas with filose pseudopodia.

Amoebozoa

A eukaryotic supergroup including naked amoebas and slime molds.

Opisthokonta

A eukaryotic supergroup that includes choanoflagellates, fungi, and animals.

Sporophyte

The diploid phase of a plant's life cycle that produces spores.

Gametophyte

The haploid phase of a plant's life cycle that produces gametes.

Alternation of Generations

The life cycle of plants alternating between sporophyte and gametophyte stages.

Embryophytes

All land plants characterized by zygote protection by maternal tissue.

Bryophytes

Non-vascular plants where the gametophyte generation is dominant.

Tracheophytes

Vascular plants with a dominant sporophyte generation.

Lycophytes

Seedless vascular plants such as club mosses.

Pteridophytes

Seedless vascular plants that include ferns and horsetails.

Spermatophytes

Seed-producing plants that disperse seeds through various means.

Gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants that bear 'naked' seeds and lack fruits.

Cycadophyta

A phylum of gymnosperms with coralloid roots and dioecious reproduction.

Ginkgophyta

A gymnosperm group with fan-shaped leaves and a single species.

Gnetophyta

A gymnosperm group characterized by dioecy and non-flagellated sperm.

Coniferophyta

The largest gymnosperm group, known for evergreen trees with needle-like leaves.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in fruits.

Monocots

Angiosperms with one cotyledon and floral parts typically in threes.

Eudicots

Angiosperms with two cotyledons and floral parts typically in fours or fives.

Flower Structure

Includes male parts (stamen) and female parts (carpel) for reproduction.

Double Fertilization

A process in angiosperms forming both zygote and endosperm during fertilization.