Diversity Unit Test
Cards (153)
- SpeciesAll organisms capable of breeding freely with each other under natural conditions
- BiodiversityThe number and variety of species and ecosystems on Earth
- HybridizationThe cross-breeding of two different species
- MorphologyThe physical appearance and characteristics of an organism; also the science of the study of these physical characteristics
- Evolutionary changeA change that occurs in an entire population; usually occurs over a long period of time
- Genetic diversityThe genetic variability among organisms; usually referring to individuals of the same species
- HeterotrophAn organism that maintains energy-rich nutrients by consuming living or dead organisms
- AutotrophAn organism that uses sources of energy to produce nutrients from water, gases, and/or minerals
- Species diversityA measure of diversity that takes into account the quantity of each species present, as well as the variety of each species present
- Structural diversityThe range of physical shapes and sizes within a habitat or ecosystem
- Biological classificationThe systematic grouping of organisms into biological categories based on physical and evolutionary relationships
- TaxonomyThe science of classifying all organisms; taxonomists classify both living and fossil species
- BotanistA scientist specializing in the study of plants; also called a plant biologist
- GenusA taxonomic level containing a group of similar species
- Binomial nomenclatureThe formal system of naming species whereby each species is assigned a genus name followed by a specific name; the two words taken together form the species name
- TaxonA category used to classify organisms
- KingdomThe highest taxonomic level of the traditional Linnaean system of classification
- Dichotomous keyA series of branching, two-part statements used to identify organisms (or objects)
- PhylogenyThe study of the evolutionary relatedness between, and among, species
- Phylogenetic treeA diagram depicting the evolutionary relationships between different species or groups
- CladeA taxonomic group that includes a single common ancestor and all its descendants
- ProkaryoteA single-celled organism that does not contain membrane-bound organelles
- EukaryoteAny organism whose cells contain organelles; some eukaryotic organisms are single-celled, while others are multicellular
- DomainThe highest taxonomic level; there are 3 domains of life
- PathogenA disease-causing agent, often a virus or microorganism
- MutualismA relationship between two species that live in very close association with each other, whereby each benefits from the association
- AntibioticA substance that can kill or weaken microorganisms; natural antibiotics are produced by bacteria or fungi, whereas synthetic antibiotics are manufactured
- PlasmidA small loop of DNA often found in prokaryotic cells; usually contains a small number of genes
- CapsuleAn outer layer on some bacteria; provides some protection for the cell
- CoccusA round bacterial cell
- BacillusA rod-shaped bacterial cell
- SpirillumA spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacterial cell
- Inorganic chemicalA chemical that has an abiotic origin; some simple substances that are produced by organisms are also classified as inorganic
- Organic chemicalIn biology, any chemical that contains carbon and is produced by living things; carbon dioxide is an exception - it is produced during cellular respiration but is classified as inorganic
- Obligate aerobeAn organism that cannot survive without oxygen
- Facultative aerobeAn organism that can live with or without oxygen
- FermentationAn anaerobic process that releases chemical energy from food
- Obligate anaerobeAn organism that cannot survive without oxygen
- Binary fissionThe division of one parent cell into two genetically identical daughter cells; a form of asexual reproduction
- ConjugationA form of sexual reproduction in which two cells join to exchange genetic information