Biological Classification Flashcards
Who was the earliest to attempt a more scientific basis for classification?
Aristotle
What morphological characters did Aristotle use to classify plants?
Trees, shrubs, and herbs
How did Aristotle classify animals?
Into those with red blood and those without.
What classification system was developed during Linnaeus’ time?
The Two Kingdom system with Plantae and Animalia kingdoms.
What limitations did the Two Kingdom system have?
It did not distinguish between
1. eukaryotes and prokaryotes
2. unicellular and multicellular organisms
3. photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms
What was a major drawback of the Two Kingdom classification?
A large number of organisms did not fit into either category.
Besides gross morphology, what other characteristics were felt necessary for classification?
Cell structure,
nature of wall,
mode of nutrition,
habitat,
methods of reproduction, evolutionary relationships.
How has the classification of living organisms changed over time?
Classification systems have undergone several changes, with different understandings of which groups/organisms fit under the plant and animal kingdoms and the number and nature of other kingdoms.
Have the plant and animal kingdoms remained constant in classification systems?
Yes, they have been a constant under all different systems.
Monera is characterized by a ____ cell type and a ____ cell wall.
Prokaryotic,Eukaryotic
Protista is characterized by a ____ cell type and a cell wall ____ in some cases.
Eukaryotic,Present
Fungi is characterized by a cell type that is ____ and a cell wall made of ____.
Eukaryotic,chitin
Plantae is characterized by a ____ cell type and a cell wall made of ____.
Eukaryotic,cellulose
Animalia is characterized by a ____ cell type and a ____ cell wall.
Eukaryotic,Absent
Fungi exhibit ____ nutrition, being both ____ and ____.
Heterotrophic,Saprophytic,Parasitic
Plantae is ____ and primarily ____ in nature.
Autotrophic,Photosynthetic
Animalia is ____ in nature, being primarily ____.
Heterotrophic,Holozoic
Fungi Cell Walls
Fungi have a cellulosic cell wall.
Kingdom Monera
All prokaryotic organisms were grouped under Kingdom Monera.
Kingdom Protista
Unicellular eukaryotic organisms were placed in Kingdom Protista.
Protista Classification
Kingdom Protista includes Chlamydomonas and Chlorella (with cell walls) and Paramoecium and Amoeba (without cell walls).
Classification Changes
Changes in classification occurred due to evolving criteria.
Future Classification:
Future changes in classification will depend on improved understanding of characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
Classification System
Modern classification reflects
1. morphological,
2. physiological,
3. reproductive similarities
4. evolutionary relationships.
Virus, viroids, prions and lichens are not mentioned in which Classification
Five kingdom
Kingdom Monera
Bacteria are the sole members of Kingdom Monera
Abundance of Bacteria
Bacteria are the most abundant microorganisms.
Habitat of Bacteria
Bacteria occur almost everywhere, including extreme habitats
Bacteria in Soil:
Hundreds of bacteria are present in a handful of soil.
Parasitic Bacteria:
Many bacteria live as parasites on or in other organisms.
Bacterial Shapes
Bacteria are grouped based on shape:
1.Coccus: Spherical shape (pl.: cocci)
2. Bacillus: Rod-shaped (pl.: bacilli)
3. Vibrium: Comma-shaped (pl.: vibrio)
4. Spirillum: Spiral shape (pl.: spirilla)
Bacterial Structure vs. Behavior:
Bacteria have a simple structure but complex behavior.
Metabolic Diversity in bacteria
Bacteria exhibit extensive metabolic diversity compared to many organisms.
Autotrophic Bacteria
Some bacteria are autotrophic, synthesizing their own food from inorganic substrates.
Types of Autotrophic Bacteria
Autotrophic bacteria can be photosynthetic or chemosynthetic
Heterotrophic Bacteria
The majority of bacteria are heterotrophs, relying on other organisms or dead organic matter for food.
Archaebacteria Habitats
Archaebacteria live in harsh habitats like extreme salty areas, hot springs, and marshy areas.
Types of Archaebacteria:
- Halophiles: Live in extreme salty areas.
- Thermoacidophiles: Live in hot springs.
- Methanogens: Live in marshy areas and in the guts of ruminant animals.
Archaebacteria Cell Wall:
They have a different cell wall structure compared to other bacteria.
Survival of archaebacteria in Extreme Conditions:
The unique cell wall structure helps archaebacteria survive in extreme conditions.
Methanogens and Methane Production
Methanogens in the gut of ruminants like cows and buffaloes produce methane (biogas) from their dung.
Eubacteria Characteristics
Eubacteria, or ‘true bacteria,’ have a rigid cell wall and may have a flagellum if motile.
Cyanobacteria
Also known as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria are photosynthetic autotrophs with chlorophyll similar to green plants.
Forms of Cyanobacteria
They can be unicellular, colonial, or filamentous, and can live in freshwater, marine, or terrestrial environments.
Cyanobacterial Colonies
Their colonies are generally surrounded by a gelatinous sheath and can form blooms in polluted waters.
Nitrogen Fixation in cyanobacteria
Some cyanobacteria, like Nostoc and Anabaena, can fix atmospheric nitrogen in specialized cells called heterocysts.
Chemosynthetic Bacteria
These bacteria oxidize inorganic substances (e.g., nitrates, nitrites, ammonia) to produce ATP and play a role in nutrient recycling.
Heterotrophic Bacteria
Most abundant and important decomposers; they are involved in processes like curd formation, antibiotic production, and nitrogen fixation in legumes.
Bacterial Pathogens:
Some bacteria cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, tetanus, and citrus canker.
Bacterial Reproduction:
Bacteria primarily reproduce by fission; they can also form spores under unfavorable conditions and transfer DNA in a primitive sexual reproduction process.
Mycoplasma
These bacteria lack a cell wall, are the smallest known living cells, can survive without oxygen, and many are pathogenic in animals and plants.
All single-celled eukaryotes are placed under which kingdom?
Protista
Why are the boundaries of the kingdom Protista not well defined?
What may be ‘a photosynthetic protistan’ to one biologist may be ‘a plant’ to another.
Which organisms are included under Protista in this book?
Chrysophytes, Dinoflagellates, Euglenoids, Slime moulds, and Protozoans.
Where are members of Protista primarily found?
Aquatic environments
How does the kingdom Protista form a link with other kingdoms?
It forms a link with plants, animals, and fungi.
What features do protistan cells have?
A well-defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
What structures might some protists have for movement?
Flagella or cilia
How do protists reproduce?
Asexually and sexually by a process involving cell fusion and zygote formation.
What groups are included in Crisophytes?
Diatoms and golden algae (desmids)
Where are Crisophytes found?
In fresh water as well as in marine environments.
How do Crisophytes move in water?
They are microscopic and float passively in water currents (plankton).
What is the primary mode of nutrition for most Crisophytes?
Photosynthetic
How are the cell walls of diatoms structured?
They form two thin overlapping shells that fit together like a soap box.
What material are diatom cell walls embedded with?
Silica
Why are diatom cell walls described as indestructible?
Because they are embedded with silica
What is ‘diatomaceous earth’?
The accumulation of diatom cell wall deposits over billions of years.
What are some uses of diatomaceous earth?
Polishing, filtration of oils and syrups.
Q: What role do diatoms play in the oceans?
They are the chief ‘producers’.
Where are dinoflagellates mostly found?
Marine environments.
What type of nutrition do dinoflagellates primarily have?
Photosynthetic
What determines the color of dinoflagellates?
The main pigments present in their cells, can be yellow, green, brown and blue or red
What is the composition of the dinoflagellate cell wall?
Stiff cellulose plates on the outer surface.
How many flagella do most dinoflagellates have, and where are they located?
Two flagella; one lies longitudinally and the other transversely in a furrow between the wall plates.
What phenomenon can red dinoflagellates cause?
Red tides.
What is an example of a red dinoflagellate that can cause red tides?
Gonyaulax
What impact can the rapid multiplication of red dinoflagellates have on marine life?
The toxins they release may kill other marine animals, such as fishes.
Where are the majority of Euglenoids found?
In stagnant fresh water.
What replaces the cell wall in Euglenoids?
A protein-rich layer called pellicle.
What is the function of the pellicle in Euglenoids?
It makes their body flexible
How many flagella do Euglenoids have, and what are their lengths?
Two flagella; one short and one long.
How do Euglenoids obtain nutrients in the presence of sunlight?
They are photosynthetic.
What happens to Euglenoids when they are deprived of sunlight?
They behave like heterotrophs by preying on other smaller organisms.
What is interesting about the pigments of Euglenoids compared to higher plants?
The pigments are identical to those present in higher plants.
Provide an example of a Euglenoid.
Euglena
What type of nutrition do slime moulds exhibit?
Saprophytic