Midterm - Definitions Flashcards
(149 cards)
Phycology / Algology
study of algae, derived from Greek phycos for seaweed (Latin fucus=seaweed)
Species vs Taxa
Species: ability or inability to reproduce, but term doesn’t work for algae since clones of algae can reproduce causing no genetic recombination
Taxa: a group of distinct organisms, different things, used instead of species
Heterogeneous
a very diverse group
Monophyletic
descended from a common evolutionary ancestor and are all related, algae are NOT monophyletic, phenetic classification instead
Phenetic classifcation
use of physical appearances or morphological characteristics to classify into different groups
Binomial systems
genus+specific epithet, a naming system used for algae
Cryptogamic
- the sexual organs (no true flowers or seeds) are not seen or don’t have them, algae and bryophytes fall into this category
- hidden wife
Numerical aperture
ability to see two discrete objects with a good microscope, with a poor one you will only see one object
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
uses the passing of electrons to pass through an object, varying degrees of transmission will create an image to see the interior (subcellular organization) of things like cells (cross-sections)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
take an object and coat it with a thin layer of gold and bombard it with electrons, depending on height or depth, you will get a 3D appearance of the exterior of an object
Electrophoresis
- Used to separate nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) through viscous gel where electric field causes negatively charged nucleic acids to migrate to positive anode
- used in Population genetics to look at variations and similarities between organisms
Chromatography
- Separation of mixtures of pigment based on relative rates of travel (uses mobility) in a medium based on differential partitioning between mobile and stationary phases ( polarity of molecules)
- Useful for examining biochemistry (composition of pigments, fatty acids, amino acids, nucleic acids)
Radioisotope
- 14C is unstable (12 C is common form, 13C is stable)
- give algae 14C then the organism becomes radioactive and if an organism eats the algae it will also become radioactive
Thallus
- algae (if multicellular) have undifferentiated vegetative tissue (no specialization, body cells that are all the same) = thallus
- Rarely is there evidence of coordinated activity
“Phyta” vs “Phycos”
Phyta-plant
Phycos-algae
Autotroph vs heterotroph
Autotroph: feed themselves, raw materials, sunlight
Heterotroph: can’t feed themselves so rely on other organisms for organic material
Photolithotrophy
sunlight, inorganic raw materials like rock or material
Obligative vs Facultative
Facultative: you can switch from autotrophs to heterotroph depending on environment
Obligative: no choice on which method of acquiring nutrition
Colonial
- Clusters or aggregation
- number of flagellates linked
Coenobium
four cells together, usually multiples 2,4,16 by reproduction, number of cells is fixed, specific type of colony
Trichome vs filament
Trichome: linear chain of cells, hair or scale-like
Filament: a linear chain of cells surrounded by a mucilage coat that can be branched or unbranched
*trichome+mucilage sheath=filament
Pseudoparenchymatous:
- chain of cells but can’t distinguish them individually
- a tissue that resembles the parenchyma (connective and supporting tissue) of plants, but isn’t its pseudo=false
Binary fission
cleaving of the two cells, simple reproduction
Haplodiplontic
haploid (haplontic) stages and diploid (diplomatic) stages of reproduction