Diversity Of Living Things Flashcards
Morphological species concept
These are organisms that share similar body shape, size, and other features.
Biological species concept
This represents organisms that are able to interbreed and create viable offspring.
Phylogenetic species concept
Focuses on the relatedness of organisms based upon DNA analysis.
What does phylogeny mean?
The evolution or ancestors of an organism
What is an advantage to the morphological species concept?
The relative simplicity of this species concept makes it the most widely used, particularly for plants.
What is a disadvantage to the morphological species concept?
The challenge is applying this species concept comes from having to decide how much difference between individuals is too much variation. Almost all populations are made up of non-identical individuals.
What is an advantage to the biological species concept?
This species concept is widely used by scientists.
What is a disadvantage to the biological species concept?
This species concept cannot be applied in all cases. For example when two populations are physically separated they never have the opportunity to interbreed in nature.
What is an advantage to the phylogenetic species concept?
The phylogenetic species concept can be applied to existing species. It also considers information about relationships among organisms learned from DNA analysis, a method scientists are using more.
What is a disadvantage to the phylogenetic species concept?
Evolutionary history’s are not known for all species.
What are the classifications for living things?
Kingdom: Animalia Phylom: chordata Subphylom: vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Primata Family: Hominidae Genus: homa Species: sapiens
Define Taxonomy
A system of classification for all organisms. The system uses binomial nomenclature. Both genus and species names are used.
What does species represent?
Represents organisms that are related in some way.
Morphology
Refers to the body size, shape, and other physical features of organisms. Structure:shape.
Anatomy
Is the study of the structure of organisms. Structure only.
Physiology
Is the study of the functioning of organisms-how they work. Structure, shape, function
Describe phylogeny
-the evolutionary history of a species
-determined by the molecular, physical, and developmental traits of organisms
Ex. All vertebrates each go through the same developmental stage in which they each have gills. ( pigs, cats, humans, fish)
Describe homologous structures
-these are anatomical structures that are very similar.
-the structures may not preform the same function.
Ex. Modifications have occurred in the fore arms of the different species of whale, cat, bat and gorilla.
Describe natural selection
- Charles Darwin created the idea of natural selection in that certain individuals will survive or thrive more so than others due to their appearance or certain genetic traits that are created through sexual reproduction.
- The increased ability of survival of the individuals will increase the chance that these traits are passed down and will result in adaptation and evolution.
What is the phylogenetic tree?
This tree shows evolutionary relationships between different species.
What are the three domains above the kingdom level?
- ) Archaea
- ) Bacteria
- ) Eukarya
What 2 domains are made up of prokaryote cells?
Archae and Bacteria
What are 4 characteristics of prokaryotic “before the nucleus”?
- no membrane-bound nucleus
- simpler internal cell structure
- usually smaller
What are 3 characteristics of the Eukaryotic “true nucleus”?
- membrane-bound nucleus
- more complex internal cell structure
- usually larger (up to 1000x)
What are 4 main characteristics of kingdoms?
- # of cells (unicellular or multicellular)
- cell wall material (if present)
- nutrition (autotrophs or heterotroph)
- primary means of reproduction (asexual or sexual)
Define autotroph.
Captures energy from sunlight/abiotic substances
Define heterotroph.
Obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
Name the 6 kingdoms.
- Animalia
- Plantae
- Archaebacteria
- Eubacteria
- Protista
- Fungi
What are characteristics of the animal kingdom 1?
-multicellular-heterotroph -no cell walls -divided into vertebrates and non-vertebrates -eukaryote
What are characteristics of the plantae kingdom 2?
-multicellular -cells have cell walls -cell walls are created from cellulose and have chloroplasts -plants are autotroph -eukaryote
What are some characteristics of the Archaebacteria kingdom 3?
-these are prokaryotes (no true nuclei) -no membrane bound organelles -live in extremely harsh environments
Ex. Found living in sulphur vents on the ocean floor.
What are characteristics of the Eubacteria kingdom 4?
- true bacteria -prokaryotes -found everywhere on earth
- it is thought that blue, green should be in a class of their own.
What are the three shapes of bacteria?
Round, rod and spiral shaped
Name characteristics of the Protista kingdom 5.
- single celled -eukaryotes (have a true nucleus) -some have chloroplasts-believed to evolved from prokaryotic cells.
- these creatures often are parasites -euglena exhibits characteristics of both animal and plants.
Characteristics of the Fungi kingdom 6.
-eukaryotes
-have cell walls like plants (but they are made up of substance called chitin
-fungi can’t create their own food (heterotroph)
Ex, mounds, yeasts, mushroom
Genetic diversity.
Is the variety of heritable characteristics (genes) in a population of interbreeding individuals.
Species diversity.
Is the variety and abundance of species in a given area.
Ecosystem diversity.
Is the variety of ecosystems in the biosphere.
What is a gene pool?
Is the sum of all the versions of all the genes in a population. The larger the gene pool and genetic diversity, the better the chances of species survival despite environmental pressures or changes. Ex, diseases.
What does genetic diversity provide?
- resistance to disease
- allows populations and species to survive changing environmental conditions (resource availability, climate change, change in predator population, introduction of a non-native species.
What does ecosystem diversity refer to?
The variety of ecosystems in the biosphere.
-ecosystems are made up of 2 components, abiotic and biotic factors.
Define abiotic.
Altitude, latitude, geology, soil nutrients, climate, light levels
Define biotic
Interacting populations of species
What are ecosystem services?
The benefits experienced by species (including humans) that are provided by sustainable ecosystems.
What are some examples of ecosystem services?
- atmospheric gas supply
- climate regulation
- water supply -soil erosion control. -nutrients recycling
- food production. -raw materials. -waste treatment
What are some disturbances with ecosystem services and human activity?
- non native species invasion. -disease
- changes in abiotic factor concentrations
- human activity must not lower the species diversity of a ecosystem and consequently lower its sustainability of services.
Why is the virus not included in the 6 kingdoms?
Because it is not considered to be a true living organism. (It is not alive) a virus cannot create its own energy or reproduce on its own.
-viruses require a host cell to replicate. They are dormant if they aren’t inside a host cell.
What don’t viruses have?
Viruses have NO cytoplasm, no membrane-bound organelles, and no cell membrane.