Diversity Unit Test

• Species


  Organisms capable of breeding freely under natural conditions.
• Biodiversity


  Number and variety of species and ecosystems on Earth.
• Hybridization


  Cross-breeding of two different species.
• Morphology


  Physical appearance and characteristics of an organism.
• Evolutionary change


  Change occurring in an entire population over time.
• Genetic diversity


  Variability among organisms of the same species.
• Heterotroph


  Organism obtaining nutrients by consuming other organisms.
• Autotroph


  Organism producing nutrients from energy sources.
• Structural diversity


  Range of physical shapes and sizes within a habitat.
• Biological classification


  Grouping organisms based on physical and evolutionary relationships.
• Taxonomy


  Science of classifying all organisms.
• Botanist


  Scientist specializing in the study of plants.
• Genus


  Taxonomic level containing similar species.
• Binomial nomenclature


  Formal system of naming species.
• Taxon


  Category used to classify organisms.
• Kingdom


  Highest taxonomic level in classification.
• Dichotomous key


  Series of statements to identify organisms.
• Phylogeny


  Study of evolutionary relatedness between species.
• Clade


  Taxonomic group with a common ancestor and descendants.
• Prokaryote


  Single-celled organism lacking membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryote


  Organism with cells containing organelles.
• Domain


  Highest taxonomic level with 3 domains of life.
• Pathogen


  Disease-causing agent like a virus or microorganism.
• Mutualism


  Relationship where two species benefit from each other.
• Antibiotic


  Substance killing or weakening microorganisms.
• Plasmid


  Small DNA loop in prokaryotic cells.
• Capsule


  Outer layer providing protection for some bacteria.
• Flower


  Specialized reproductive structure of angiosperms producing pollen and/or ovules.
• Fruit


  Mature ovary of flowering plants containing seeds for protection and dispersal.
• Cotyledon


  Structure in angiosperm (flower plants) seeds that store and supply nutrients to the embryo.
• Radial symmetry


  Symmetry around a central axis.
• Bilateral symmetry


  Symmetry around a midline.
• Protostome


  Animal with bilateral symmetry where the mouth forms before the anus.
• Deuterostome


  Animal with bilateral symmetry where the anus forms before the mouth.
• Vertebrae


  Animal with a backbone or notochord.
• Notochord


  Flexible rod in some chordates, replaced by vertebrae during development.
• Invertebrate


  Animal without a backbone, representing the majority of animal species.
• Germ layer


  One of three layers forming during early embryonic development in most animals.
• Coelom


  Body cavity in some animals containing internal organs.
• Nematocyst


  Capsule in cnidarians' cells with toxins that can be propelled toward attackers and prey, causing them to be paralyzed; also called a stinging cell