Diversity of Living Things Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
the science of defining groups of biological organisms on the basis of shared characteristics.
What are the biological groups?
Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Domain
Carl Linnaeus
was a Swedish botanist. He developed the formal method of naming species called the Binomial Nomenclature.
Binomial Nomenclature
each species has 2 names (genus name) (species name). Genus is capital, species is not (italics).
What are the three domains?
Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya
Archaea
Prokaryotic single-celled organisms similar in appearance to bacteria. Typically extremophiles, organisms that live in extreme environments like volcanos.
Bacteria
single-celled prokaryotic cells.
Eukarya
Eukaryotic cells, single or multicellular organisms with a nucleus. 4 kingdoms→ Protista, Plantae, Fungi, Animalia
Kingdoms
Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Plantae, Fungi, Animalia
Phylogenetic Trees
Shows relations with common ancestors and descendants (ex. cladograms).
Dichotomous Keys
Method of determining unknown species with a series of choices that lead to correct species.
Biodiversity
The number and variety of species in ecosystems. They indicate the health of an ecosystem. The more species, the healthier the ecosystem.
Monoculture
the opposite of biodiversity. Ex. bananas since they are clones. If one is diseased, others will most likely be as well.
Levels of Biodiversity
Species Diversity, Genetic Diversity, Ecosystem Diversity
Species Diversity
How many types in an area
Genetic Diversity
Of the species present, how many different characteristics.
Ecosystem Diversity
Largest scale of biodiversity. It looks at how many different ecosystems in an area.
Species
When two individuals can make an offspring that is infertile, or if those individuals can’t make offspring altogether.
Species Diversity
A variety of species found in a discrete geographical area. Usually measured in total number.
Importance of Biodiversity
Maintain or restore healthy ecosystem functioning
Photosynthetic fixation of solar energy, the energy input for the world.
Water cycles and protects watersheds
Storage
Keystone Species
A Keystone Species is one that other species in an ecosystem heavily depend on. If Keystone is removed, environment/ ecosystem may be destroyed.
Endemic Species
A species that is only found in one country/ island or distinct geographical unit. Ex. lemurs.
Native Species
Occurs naturally somewhere
Invasive Species
Species not native to a specific geographical location. Tend to spread uncontrollably due to lack of predators.
Biodiversity Index
Measures how healthy an ecosystem is. Biodiversity Index= total number of species/ total number of organisms
Species Richness
Refers to numbers of species present in an ecosystem. Wheat fields have a large species richness. Tundra has a low richness.
Species Evenness
Wheat field is not even because of amounts of each species. Tundra has few species, but a good amount of evenness.
Bacteria and Archaea are _________ cells
Prokaryotic
Do prokaryotic cells have a nuclear membrane?
No
How is the DNA in prokaryotic cells stored?
DNA is stored in a circle not strands of chromosomes.
What are the three main shapes of prokaryotic cells?
Coccus: a round shaped cell (ex. Staphylococcus→ staph infections)
Bacillus: a rod-shaped cell. (ex. Lactobacillus→ to digest dairy)
Spirillum: a spiral-shaped cell (ex. Spirillum minus→ from rat bites)