Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms - key terms Flashcards
Define movement
an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place
Define respiration
the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism
Define sensitivity
the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment
Define growth
a permanent increase in size and dry mass
Define reproduction
the processes that make more of the same kind of organism
Define excretion
the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements
Define nutrition
the taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development
Define species
a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
Define the sequence of classification
Kingdom → Phylum → Classes → Orders → Families → Genus → Species. [ remember, King Philip, Come Over For Good Soup]
Define Genus species
The genus is capitalised, and the species are not.
The Five Kingdoms: Define animals
Multicellular ingestive heterotrophs (eat living organisms). Ex: cat, ladybird, newt, etc.
The Five Kingdoms: Define plants
Multicellular photosynthetic autotrophic (make their food) organism with a cellulose cell wall and chloroplasts. Ex: cactus, oak tree.
The Five kingdoms: Define Fungi
Single-celled or multicellular heterotrophic and saprotrophic organisms with cell walls not made of cellulose, spread by spreading spores in moist/dark/warm environments. Most have hyphae and mycelium in structure. Ex: yeast, mushrooms.
The Five Kingdoms: Define Prokaryotes
Single-celled organisms with no true nucleus or DNA in the cytoplasm. Many also have plasmids. Ex: E.coli, Salmonella.
The Five Kingdoms: Define Protist or Protoctist
Single-celled organism with a nucleus. Eukaryotes. Some are multicellular. Ex: Amoeba, seaweed.
Type of vertebrates: (they have a backbone) Define the features of a mammal
Fur on the skin, External ears (pinna), Internal fertilisation, Mammary Glands
Type of vertebrates: (they have a backbone) Define the features of a reptiles
Thick, dry, scaly skin, Usually four legs, Internal fertilisation, Soft Shelled Eggs, cold-blooded
Type of vertebrates: (they have a backbone) Define the features of a fish
Wet scales, Streamlined body shape, External fertilisation, and soft eggs, cold-blooded
Type of vertebrates: (they have a backbone) Define the features of a amphibians
Smooth, moist skin, External fertilisation, and soft eggs, Gills, & Lungs can live on land and water. Most have four legs.
Type of vertebrates: (they have a backbone) Define the features of a birds
Feathers on the body and scales on legs, Constant internal body temperature, Hard eggs, Internal fertilisation, birth through eggs
Define inverbrates
Organisms that do not have a backbone.
Define the features of arthropods
Exoskeleton
Jointed legs
Segmented body
Define the features of ferns
Do not produce flowers/seeds
They are plants with roots, stems and feathery leaves
Reproduce by spores
Define the features of flowering plants
They are plants with roots, stems and leaves
Reproduce sexually through flowers and seeds
Seeds are produced inside the ovary in the flower
Define the features of a Monocotyledons
One cotyledon/One-seed leaf
Parallel veins
Long Narrow Leaf
The Number of Petals is a Multiple of 3
Scattered Vascular Bundles
Define the features of Dicotyledons
Two cotyledons/Two-seed leaf
Branching veins
Broad leaves
The Number of Petals is a Multiple of 4 or 5
Ringed Vascular Bundles
Define a virus
Viruses are not part of any classification system due to not being considered living things.
Define why a virus is not considered a living thing
They do not carry out the seven life processes for themselves; instead, they take over a host cell’s metabolic pathways to make multiple copies of themselves.
