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Biology Study Materials > Biodiversity (General) - Unit 1 > Flashcards

Biodiversity (General) - Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Define species.

A

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce offspring

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2
Q

Define morphology.

A

Deals with the structure/form of organisms

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3
Q

Define phylogeny.

A

Evolutionary history of a species

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4
Q

Define taxonomy.

A

Identifies, names and classifies species based on natural features
- Binomial nomenclature- the system of 2-word Latin names (genus and species).

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5
Q

Define genus.

A

Taxonomic group of closely related species

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6
Q

Define classification.

A

Grouping of organisms based on a set of criteria

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7
Q

Define hierarchal classification.

A

Method of classifying organisms arranged from most general to specific

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8
Q

Define rank.

A

Level of classification
- Domain
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species

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9
Q

Define taxon.

A

Name of each rank (taxa plural)
- Domain
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species

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10
Q

What is the biological species concept?

A

Focus: ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring
Advantage: simple
Disadvantage: cannot apply to populations-separated, that reproduce asexually, or fossils

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11
Q

What is the morphological species concept?

A

Focus: body, shape, size, structural forms
Advantage: compare measurements and descriptions of similar organisms
Disadvantage: difficult to determine how many differences are required to be considered separate species

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12
Q

What is the phylogenetic species concept?

A

Focus: relationships between animals and common ancestor, evolutionary history, DNA analysis
Advantage: apply to extinct
Disadvantage: evolutionary history is not known for all species

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13
Q

What is diversity of life on Earth?

A

Stability to communities and ensures a greater chance of survival for all organisms
- A result of evolution and speciation of organisms in response to environmental change

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14
Q

What four pieces of evidence are used to categorize organisms? Explain them.

A
  • Phylogeny (evolutionary history)
  • Physiological (biochemistry-cell parts, etc.)
  • Anatomy (structure-bones)
  • Genetic (DNA sequences)
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15
Q

History of naming species.
How do you write out a species name?

A
  • 18th Century taxonomist
    Carolus Linnaeus created the binomial nomenclature
  • Based on Latin names
  • Classifies organisms by their structure

How to
Italicized - when typed
Underlined (separated) - when written
Genus first (capitalized), species second (uncapitalized)

  • Same name no matter where u go -binomial = scientific name in Latin
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16
Q

Define ancestor.

A

Organism that other organisms descend from

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17
Q

Define anatomy.

A

Structure and form- internal systems

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18
Q

Define physiology.

A

Physical and chemical functions of organisms

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19
Q

What is a phylogenetic tree?

A

A branching diagram used to show evolutionary relationships among species.

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20
Q

What is unity of life?

A
  • Common characteristics found through evolutionary history.
    > Atoms and molecules (C, H, N, O, P, S) (water, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates)
    > Same cell structures (all membranes are made of phospholipid bilayer)
    > Same chemical reactions (photosynthesis and cellular respiration)
    > Genetic continuity (same basic genetic code)
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21
Q

What are the characteristics of common ancestry?

A

Anatomical: look at living organisms and fossil records
- Similar anatomical structures= homologous structures
- Existence of vestigial structures

Physiology: the study of how organisms work.

Includes the biochemistry: which proteins are
made
- Comparing proteins, enzymes or parts of
cells/tissues
- Determines the degree of similarity or
difference

Signs of common ancestry
- Genetic sequence of DNA nucleotides

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22
Q

Define structural diversity.

A

Biological diversity in the variety of structural forms, both internal and external

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23
Q

Define dichotomous key.

A

Identification tool consisting of two part choices

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24
Q

Define autotroph.

A

Organism that captures energy from sunlight to produce its own energy food

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25
Q

Define heterotroph.

A

Organism that cant make its own food, gets nutrients and energy from consuming other organisms

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26
Q

What are the two main cell types used to classify domain? What are the three domains?

A

Cell types:
- Eukaryote (has a membrane bound nucleus)
- Prokaryote (lacks a nucleus and complex organelles, free-floating)

Domains:
- Bacteria (prokaryote, cannot live in extreme environments)
- Archaea (prokaryote, can live in extreme environments)
- Eukarya (eukaryotes, any organism w a membrane-bound nucleus)

~ Bacteria (domain) not to be confused with Eubacteria (kingdom), and Archaea (domain) not to be confused with Archaebacteria (kingdom)

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27
Q

What features are used to classify organisms at the kingdom level?

A
  • Type of cell
    > prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic
  • Number of cells
    > unicellular (single-celled organisms) vs. multicellular
    (made up of more than one cell)
  • Cell wall composition
    > if present: peptidoglycan, cellulose, or chitin
  • Method of obtaining nutrition
    > autotroph vs. heterotroph
  • Method of reproduction
    > asexual (single parent) vs. sexual (two parents
    combined)
28
Q

What are the six kingdoms? Give brief descriptions of them.

A

Archaebacteria
- Ancient, prokaryotic bacteria
- Live in harsh habitats

Eubacteria
-True bacteria
- Prokaryotic
- Extremely diverse (difficult to
categorize)

Protista
- Single-celled eukaryotes

Fungi
- Multicellular eukaryotes
- Cell wall does not contain cellulose
- Unable to perform photosynthesis

Plantae
- Multicellular eukaryotes
- Cell wall contains cellulose
- Contain chloroplasts

Animalia
- Multicellular eukaryotes
- Heterotrophic
- No cell walls

29
Q

Briefly describe what a virus is.

A
  • Structure: Composed of strands of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat (capsid).
  • Non-living: Viruses do not grow, cannot reproduce independently, and depend on host cells for survival.
  • Cell-Specific: Viruses infect specific types of cells and are much smaller than most cells. (100s X smaller than most cells)
30
Q

Explain the structure of a virus (viral structure).

A
  • Protein Coat (Capsid): Protects the genetic material.
  • Genetic Material: Can be either DNA or RNA.
  • Some have a simple membrane.
  • Shape types:
    > Helical (cylindrical),
    > Polyhedral
    > Spherical
    > Complex (e.g., bacteriophage).
  • No organelles or internal structures.
31
Q

Explain the classifying of a virus (viral classification).

A
  • Classified based on the structure of the protein coat and the type of genetic material.
  • Historically named based on the diseases they cause (e.g., rabies) or the tissues they infect (e.g., rhinovirus).
  • Now named based on surface markers, type genetic material, geographic origin, year of isolation, strain number (strain= version of virus where combattable)
32
Q

Explain the replication of a virus (viral replication), both forms.

A

Lytic Cycle:
- Viruses replicate immediately upon infection, causing lysis (destruction) of the host cell. Takes 25-40 minutes producing up to 300 new virus particles
Steps:
1. Attachment: proteins in the viral tail attach to the host cell membrane.
2. Entry: Injects genetic material into the host cell.by releasing enzyme that breaks down cell wall/membrane
3. Replication: Host cell replicates viral DNA/RNA and capsid proteins
4. Assembly: Viral components are assembled into new viruses.
5. Lysis and Release: New viruses are released from the cell to infect neighboring cells, as the host cell is destroyed.
> Some viruses can exit the cell without causing lysis, pushing out through the cell membrane, becoming surrounded by membrane. Now it is “disguised” as a regular cell, and can spread very easily through the body.

Lysogenic Cycle:
> Viral DNA integrates into the host cell’s DNA, becoming a provirus.
> Virus remains dormant until triggered (e.g., by stress or infection), then enters the lytic cycle.
Steps:
1. Attachment
2. Entry
3. Incorporation (nucleic acid into host DNA =provirus) Provirus becomes triggered to leave host DNA
4. Replication of viral parts
5. Assembly of viral parts
6. Lysis (viral particles break out of host cell)
> Lysogenic can be referred to as Retroviruses: contain reverse transcriptase, allowing viral RNA to be converted into DNA and incorporated into the host genome (known as provirus integration or formation)
> In this cycle, virus may stay dormant in host DNA as provirus until is is triggered resulting in delayed symptoms

33
Q

Explain the transmission of a virus (viral transmission).

A
  • Viruses are selective, enters only specific host cells
  • Animal Viruses: Spread through coughing, sneezing, direct contact, contaminated objects, insect/animal vectors.
  • Plant Viruses: Spread through direct contact (leaves, roots, seeds) and insects.
  • Zoonotic Diseases: Viruses that “jump” from animals to humans
  • Host range: viruses through random mutations can expand their host range and jump
34
Q

Explain viruses and human health.

A

Viral Diseases:
- Most viruses need to run their course until bodies create immunity
- Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
- Antiviral medicines: Treat some viral infections.
- Vaccines: Prepared from viral components or inactivated viruses, trigger the immune system to create antibodies, providing acquired immunity.
> Examples: Flu, polio vaccines.

35
Q

Explain virus vaccines.

A
  • Types:
    > Inactivated vaccine -viruses (e.g., flu, polio): Kills or inactivates the virus.
    > Live-attenuated vaccine-live but weakened viruses (e.g., MMR, chickenpox): Suitable for healthy individuals.
    > Viral vector vaccines: Deliver parts of the virus (e.g., protein) into the body.
  • Herd Immunity: Protects vulnerable populations by reducing disease transmission through widespread vaccination.
  • DNA vs. RNA Viruses:
    > DNA Viruses: Stable genetic material, vaccines are long-lasting (e.g., smallpox, hepatitis B).
    > RNA Viruses: Mutate frequently, requiring yearly vaccinations (e.g., flu, COVID-19). As the antibodies must change to identify the mutated form of RNA virus
36
Q

Explain gene therapy.

A
  • Potential Application: Using viruses to deliver corrected genes to treat genetic disorders.
37
Q

What are the differentiating features between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

A

Prokaryotic cell features:
- Small (1-10µm)
- No membrane-bound organelles
- Free-floating DNA, no nucleus
- Autotroph and heterotroph
- Asexual (binary fission)

Eukaryotic cell features:
- Large (10-100 µm)
- Membrane-bound organelles (nucleus, etc.)
- DNA enclosed in a nucleus
- Autotroph and heterotroph
- Asexual (mitosis) and sexual (gametes)

38
Q

What are the types of prokaryotes? Briefly describe them.

A
  • Archaea: Thrive in extreme environments (extremophiles).
    > Thermophiles: Live in hot environments (e.g., hot springs).
    > Halophiles: Thrive in high-salt conditions (e.g., salt flats).
    > Acidophiles: Live in acidic environments (pH close to 0, e.g., geothermal vents).
  • Bacteria:
    > Mesophiles: Live in moderate environments (e.g., soil, food).
    > examples: Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli
39
Q

Explain nutrition and energy for prokaryotes.

A

Archaea:
- Heterotrophs: Produce methane (methanogenesis).
- Autotrophs: Perform chemosynthesis (produce energy from molecules like H₂S without sunlight).

Bacteria:
- Heterotrophs: Some are parasites.
- Autotrophs: Some perform photosynthesis (e.g., cyanobacteria).

40
Q

Explain respiration for prokaryotes.

A
  • Aerobic Respiration: Grow in the presence of oxygen (O₂).
  • Anaerobic Respiration: Grow without oxygen (O₂).
  • Respiration in prokaryotes occurs on the inner cell membrane (lack mitochondria).
41
Q

What are the shapes and arrangements for prokaryotes (aggregations)?

A

Shapes:
Cocci: Spherical.
Bacilli: Rod-shaped.
Spirilla: Spiral-shaped.

Arrangements:
Mono-: Single.
Diplo-: Pairs.
Strepto-: Chains.
Staphylo-: Clusters.

42
Q

Explain cell walls for prokaryotes.

A

Archaea: Lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls.

Bacteria: Contain peptidoglycan.
- Use of Gram staining to classify bacteria:
> Gram-positive: Thick protein layer, stains purple.
> Gram-negative: Thin protein layer, stains pink.-antibiotic more

43
Q

Explain reproduction in prokaryotes (two processes).

A

Binary Fission: Prokaryotes reproduce asexually by dividing into two genetically identical cells.

Conjugation: Some bacteria can exchange small pieces of DNA (plasmids) through a cytoplasmic bridge, allowing adaptability (e.g., antibiotic resistance).

44
Q

Explain genetic transfer (via plasmids).

A
  • Plasmids: Small loops of DNA that can carry unique genes.
  • Antibiotic Resistance: Bacteria can acquire plasmids that contain R-Factors, which provide resistance to antibiotics.
  • Endospore Formation: Under harsh conditions, bacteria can form endospores to protect their DNA and survive until favorable conditions return.
45
Q

Explain the functions of prokaryotes in ecosystems.

A
  • Decomposers: Break down dead organisms, releasing essential elements like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
  • Nitrogen Fixation: Some prokaryotes convert nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants (often in symbiosis with legumes).
  • Oxygen Producers: Cyanobacteria were the first organisms to produce oxygen via photosynthesis, altering Earth’s atmosphere.
46
Q

Explain the benefits of bacteria.
Explain the negative effects of bacteria.

A

Benefits:
- Environmental: Nitrogen fixation, oxygen production, and decomposition.
- Medical: Source of antibiotics, production of insulin, and maintaining gut health.

Negative effects:
- Pathogens: Only a small percentage of bacteria cause diseases (e.g., botulism, tetanus, strep throat).
- Food Spoilage: Bacteria can spoil food or sour milk.

47
Q

Explain antibiotic resistance.

A

Arises when bacteria with natural resistance survive antibiotic treatment, eventually forming resistant populations. These bacteria can neutralize antibiotics through R-Factors on plasmids.

48
Q

Explain the human health implications of prokaryotes.

A

Botulism: Caused by Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can survive as a spore and produce a deadly toxin.

Strep Throat: Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive bacterium responsible for various infections.

49
Q

Explain the process of endosymbiosis.

A

When a larger cell engulfs a smaller cell with a specialized function
> The cell survives and becomes a part of the larger cell, this is the probable origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts

50
Q

What are the three types of biodiversity? Briefly describe them.

A

Species diversity
- variety and abundance of species in a given area

Genetic diversity
- Variety of heritable characteristics (genes) in population of interbreeding individuals
> Ex. Tasmanian devils have been suffering from contagious cancer, causing danger to gender diversity

Ecosystem diversity
- Variety of ecosystems in biosphere

51
Q

Explain ecosystem resilience.

A
  • Ability of an ecosystem to remain functional and stable in the presence of disturbances to its part
  • Genetic diversity allows resistance to disease because more diversity = allows species to survive change in environmental conditions
52
Q

Explain ecosystem services.

A
  • Benefits for organism provided by sustainable ecosystems, > Ex. wetlands because they store water, reduce floods, filter water
53
Q

What does greater diversity result in?

A
  • Ability to provide important services reliably
  • Resilience, resistance to invasion
  • More species = more efficient environmental cycle
54
Q

Give a brief overview of the kingdom protista.

A
  • Eukaryotic (can be unicellular or multicellular)
  • First appeared 1.5 billion years ago
  • Has 115,000 species
  • Normally reproduce by binary fission
  • Found in moist environments
55
Q

What does the theory of endosymbiosis explain?

A

How eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells.

56
Q

Define endosymbiont.

A

Cell that is engulfed by another cell in endosymbiosis

57
Q

Define host cell.

A

Cell that engulfs another cell in endosymbiosis

58
Q

What are the three types of fungi?

A

Yummy fungi: mushrooms, truffles, bread, blue cheese

Parasitic Fungi: athletes foot, ring worm, toenail fungus, south american blastomycosis

Useful fungi: penicillum, antibiotics, lichen, nutrient cycles, yeast

59
Q

What are the general traits of fungi?

A
  • Mostly multicellular eukaryotes
    > Yeast is unicellular
    > Multicellular fungi have long filaments called hyphae, and a fruiting body
    > Hyphae (one branch) are arranged in a branching network called mycelium (whole system)
    > Fungi grow on their food through expanding hyphae which secrete the enzymes, nutrients are absorbed by the hyphae
    > Cells in the hyphae filaments have pores that allow nutrients and organelles to move between cells (nutrients can distribute in the fungi through this)
  • Heterotrophs: release digestive enzymes on food and absorb digested nutrients
  • Sexual, some asexual
  • Live in soil and nutritious places
  • Cell walls have chitin
60
Q

What are the four fungi classifications for nutrition? Briefly describe each.

A

Parasitic
- Absorbs nutrients from living cells of a host organism
> ex. cordyceps: they invade an insects body, the insect dies, the fruiting bodies of the fungi emerge producing new spores

Predatory
- Soil fungi whose mycelia have structures that trap prey
> ex. arthrobotrys: traps tiny worms (nematodes)

Mutualistic
- Partners with plants or protists
> ex. mycorrhizae: mutualistic relationship between roots of plants and fungi, where the fungi’s mycelium creates more roots, helps with taking up more nutrients, while the fungi receives sugar from the plant

Saprobial
- Decomposers with mycelia that absorb nutrients from decaying or dead organic matter
- They recycle nutrients in ecosystems
> ex. mushrooms: live on rotting tree bark, breaking down material and returning nutrients to soil

61
Q

Explain reproduction for fungi.

A
  • Usually asexual but sexual at times

Asexual:
- Fragmentation
> Parts of the mycelium break off and new fungi are produced

  • Budding
    > Sac fungi like yeast have smaller cells develop while attached to parent cell
    > The smaller cells then pinch off through budding
  • Spores (can also be sexual)
    > Fruiting body is the sexual reproductive structure- releases spores
    > Some fungi produce haploid spores in reproductive structures called sporangia- this is either sexual or asexual
    > These spores are surrounded by a protective coating and can be easily dispersed through air or water
    > When they land in a suitable environment, they germinate and form new fungus (asexual)
    > When two mycelia (male and female) come into contact, they mate and produce a zygote (sexual spore reproduce)
62
Q

Explain what lichen are.

A

> A composite organism, depends on symbiotic relationship between fungi and green algae or cyanobacterium
Fungi anchor the green algae and provides water and carbon dioxide
Green algae provides the fungi with sugars from photosynthesis
Important in soil formation because they establish themselves on rocks and barren soils

63
Q

Describe the kingdom animalia. Use the features for classifying organisms at the kingdom level.

A
  • Eukaryotic, multicellular
  • Heterotrophs
  • Mobile (every animal at some stage of life)
  • Reproduce sexually
64
Q

What are the ten characteristics used to further classify animals?

A

Vertebrae, invertebrate (notochord):
- Vertebrate = notochord present
- Invertebrate = notochord absent
- Notochord = nerve cord the length of organism protected by cartilage or bone
> Runs along the dorsal surface
> More efficient transfer of information, control of brain and more complex responses

Level of organization:
- Cells are organized into tissues
- Tissues are organized into organs

Number of body layers:
- Most develop 3 layers of cells (endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm)
> Ex. digestive cells, red blood cells, pigment cells

Symmetry and body plans:
- Asymmetrical = no nervous system present to coordinate cell activities
> ex. sponge
- Radial = simple nervous system, limited responses, cells are arranged into simple tissues, simple organs
> ex. hydra
- Bilateral (symmetrical) = central nervous system, cephalization-nerve cells concentrate in the head region forming brain, faster more complex movements
> ex. fish, humans

Body cavities:
- Coelom = fluid-filled body cavity that gives space for develop, and suspension of organs
- Gives muscle inside animal a structure to protect, allows quicker movement

Digestive system:
- One opening = food and waste enter and exit through the same hole
- Two opening = food can be digested, moves through a system, waste does not interfere with intake of food

Segmentation:
- Division of a body into series of repeating segments
- Enables for easy movement
- If one segment gets injured, the others are unaffected

Movement:
- Mobile = ability to move independently
- Sessile = no move independently

Reproduction:
- Internal fertilization = egg and sperm combine inside the female body
> ex. chickens
- External fertilization = gametes combine outside the body, typical in aquatic environment
> ex. fish and frogs

Structure:
- Endoskeleton = internal
> ex. starfish, humans
- Exoskeleton = outer protection
> ex. crayfish, lobster
- Cartilage = strong, flexible connective tissue for joint and bone protection

65
Q

Define endoderm.

A

Organisms that can maintain constant body temperature
> ex. birds and mammals

66
Q

Define ectotherm.

A

Not able to maintain constant body temp
> ex. snakes and lizards (sometimes)

67
Q

Define tetrapod.

A

Four limbed organism

Biology Study Materials (10 decks)

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