Chapter 2 Biodiversity

• Domain


  The highest level of classification, dividing life into 3 domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya
• Kingdom


  Divides life into 6 kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Chromista, and Monera
• Phylum (or Division)


  Groups organisms based on body structure
• Class


  Groups organisms based on shared physical characteristics
• Order


  Groups organisms based on evolutionary relationships
• Family


  Groups organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships
• Archaea


  Ancient, single-celled microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments
• Bacteria


  Single-celled microorganisms that are found almost everywhere
• Eukarya


  Domain that includes all organisms with true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
• Prokaryotic cells


  Cells without a true nucleus, found in Archaea and Bacteria
• Eukaryotic cells


  Cells with a true nucleus, found in Eukarya
• Genus


  A taxonomic rank for closely related species sharing similar characteristics.
• Species


  A group of living things that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
• Viroid


  A small, single-stranded RNA molecule that infects plants, independent of other viral proteins.
• Prion


  A misfolded protein that causes neurodegenerative diseases, resistant to heat, disinfectants, and radiation.
• Binomial Nomenclature


  A system of naming species using a two-part name: genus and species.