Biology and Phylogenetic Classification Flashcards
Biological scales of life (smallest to largest)
molecules, proteins and nucleic acids, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, communities, ecosystems
Original Classification of Organisms
5 kingdoms: Protista, Monera, Plantae, Fungi, Animalia (now organized into 7)
3 Domains
introduced in 1977; Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryota
Monophyletic Groups
come from a single ancestor; aka “clades”; encompasses entire branch
Node
branch point; can represent a common ancestor on a phylogenetic tree
Prokaryote
a microscopic single-celled organism that has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles; include bacteria and cyanobacteria
Eukaryotic Cell
has a nucleus and mitochondria, prokaryotic cell does not
Eukaryote
an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material in DNA in the form of chromosomes contained with a distinct nucleus; include all living organisms besides eubacteria and archaebacteria
Epigenetics
the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect gene expression
Histone Modification
DNA wraps around histone proteins; DNA-wrapped histones cannot be accessed by proteins that “read” the gene, can impact which genes are turned “on” versus “off”
Protist
a single-celled organism of the kingdom Protista; ex: protozoan or simple alga
Order of traditional biological classification (broad to specific)
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Cnidaria
a phylum that includes corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish; branches off near the base of the animal evolutionary tree
All animals are
multicellular
Bacteria
cells do not contain a nucleus; cell walls composed of polysaccharide peptidoglycan
Archaea
appears similar to bacteria, but different; cells do not contain a nucleus, different cell wall than bacteria; can live in extreme environments (hot springs, geysers, salt flats)
Eukarya
cells contain a nucleus, nucleus stores DNA
4 kingdoms of Eukarya
- Plantae
- Fungi
- Animalia
- Protista
Plantae
plants (ex: trees and grasses) absorb energy from the sun to create their own food (photosynthesis)
Fungi
ex: mushrooms and molds; survive by “eating” other organisms or their remains; absorb the nutrients of other organisms
Animalia
survive by eating other organisms or their remains; include a wide range of organisms (from tiny ants to massive whales); include arthropods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals
Protista
all eukaryotic organisms that do not fit into other 3 kingdoms; include many microscopic unicellular organisms (like algae and plankton), as well as giant seaweeds
