Vocabulary

Prokaryote: Single-celled organism with no nucleus  
Eukaryotes: Multicellular organisms with a nucleus
Virus: Nonliving particle that infects cells to reproduce
Capsid: A protein coat around a virus’s genetic material
Lytic cycle

Lysogenic cycle
Binomial nomenclature: Two-part scientific naming system (Genus species)

Taxon (taxa): A category in the classification system
Dichotomous key: Tool for identifying organisms through a series of choices
Scientific name vs common: Worldwide name VS everyday local name  

Methanogens 

Halophiles
Thermoacidophiles
Agar: A gel used to grow bacteria in labs  

Binary fission: Asexual reproduction where a cell splits into two identical cells  

Species: A group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring
Plasmid
Endospore: A structure bacteria forms to survive harsh conditions
Antibiotic: A substance that kills or stops the growth of bacteria
Fragmentation 

Biodiversity risks

Human interventions

Sustainability: Using resources in a way that doesn’t harm future generations 

Review Questions: 

1. What are the 7 main taxonomic ranks, in order?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (Dumb King Philip Cried Over Failing Six Grade). 

2. How do we name organisms scientifically? Which taxonomic ranks do we use?

Genus species (first name is capitalized, second is lowercase) We use the Genus, Species rank.  

3. State 3 differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Prokaryotes: Don’t have a nucleus, don’t have organelles, smaller in size 

Eukaryotes: Have a nucleus, have organelles, larger in size 

4. Why are common names such as “robin” inadequate for scientists? 

They vary by region, can refer to multiple species, and are not precise in identifying organisms.

5. What are some key differences between a bacterial infection and a viral infection?

Bacterial Infection: They appear everywhere on earth, can be treated with antibiotics, reproduce asexually by binary fission  

Viral Infection: Don’t appear in every kingdom, treated with vaccines or antiviral meds, Insert their genome in the host genome and make multiple copies 

6. What is the difference between the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle?

STUDY THE CYCLES 

The lytic cycle makes new viruses and destroys the host cell right away. The lysogenic cycle hides in the host's DNA until it becomes active again (no new viruses produced).

7. What is a vaccine and how does it work?

They prepare the immune system to fight specific pathogens by introducing weakened or inactive parts of the pathogen, helping the body respond better to future infections. 

8. Why can’t viruses be included in any kingdom of life? Give several reasons.

They can’t carry out any metabolic functions, grow or reproduce independently, are not made of cells, and need a host cell to reproduce. 

9. What are some key features of Archaea?

Live in extreme environments, one of the earliest forms on earth, reproduces only asexually through budding and fragmentation, cell walls not made of peptidoglycan.  

10. Only reproduces asexually through budding and fragmentation. 

Kingdom, Archaea.   

11. What are the three main groups of Archaea and one important characteristic for each?

Methanogens: Found in anaerobic environments like swamps, marshes, and the intestines of animals.

Halophiles: Thrive in extremely salty environments, such as salt lakes and salt flats

Thermophiles: Prefer hot environments, typically at temperatures above 45°C (113°F), (hot springs)

12. List several ways by which the Kingdom Eubacteria organisms are classified.

Shape (round, or spiral-shaped), mode of nutrition (heterotrophic/autotrophic), mobility (motile/non-motile), environment (live everywhere). 

13. What is the difference between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria?

Gram Positive: Stain purple due to the thick peptidoglycan layer 

Gram-negative: Stain pink or red because of the thin peptidoglycan layer

14. How might Bacteria reproduce sexually?

Bacteria might reproduce sexually by sharing DNA through conjugation, taking in DNA from the environment, or using viruses to transfer DNA.

15. What are plasmids, and how might they benefit a bacterial cell? 

Loops of DNA that are separate from the cell's regular genetic material. They carry genes that are resistant to antibiotics, increasing survival. 

16. What are the three major groups of Protists and what other kingdom does each resemble? 

Animal-like - Animalia (heterotrophs), plant-like - Plantae (autotrophs), fungi-like - Fungi (heterotrophs/decomposers).  

17. What is the main asexual method for Fungal reproduction?

Asexually through fragmentation.  

18. Fragmentation

Pieces of hyphae break off and grow into mycelia.  

19. How has climate change affected the diversity of species? List several ways.

Habitat Loss: Ecosystems become unsuitable for species.

Extinction: Species unable to adapt may go extinct.

Changes in migration habits 

Changes in plant blooming time 

20. How are humans affecting biodiversity on our planet?

Urbanization and deforestation lead to the loss of habitats

Chemicals and waste harm ecosystems and species

Overfishing and hunting reduce species' populations

Non-native species disrupt local ecosystems

21. Explain how one human initiative to protect biodiversity might not be as helpful as we thought.

Protected areas may not be effective because they may lack important resources and prevent species from migrating, decreasing reproduction.  

22. Why is biodiversity so important to maintaining viable ecosystems?

Ecosystem, Species, Genetic (make up biodiversity) 

Vital for the survival of organisms on earth

Ensures a variety of food sources for global security

Supports industries like agriculture and tourism

Supplies many medicines from diverse species

Application Style Questions

1. If you were given a list of organisms, and asked to sort them into two or three groups, how would you classify them? By what criteria? Could you justify your reasoning?

I could sort them into their type of cell (Prokaryotes/Eukaryotes), mode of nutrition (Heterotroph/autotrophs), and reproduction (asexually/sexually). This helps understand the biological differences and relationships among organisms. 

2. Explain how someone with a viral infection can be contagious before they start feeling sick. Relate your answer to viral replication cycles.

A person with a viral infection can be contagious before feeling sick because viruses replicate quickly. In the lytic cycle, the virus enters host cells, makes copies, and spreads before symptoms appear, allowing it to infect others early on.

3. You find an unknown organism deep in a remote cave. How might you classify it? What features could you look for to help you place it in a kingdom/phylum of life? Be specific in your answer.

To classify an unknown cave organism, I would observe its features, such as habitat (wet, dark areas), color and texture (green or fuzzy), shape (like flat or round), and how it gets food (whether it eats other things or makes its food).