Topic 1. Characteristics and classification of living organisms Flashcards
(25 cards)
- Movement
- Respiration
- Sensitivity
- Growth
- Reproduction
- Excretion
- Nutrition
Define Movement
AN action by an organism or a part of an organism resulting in a change of position or state
Define Respiration
A chemical reaction in cells that break down nutrients molecules (glucose), to release energy for metabolism
Define Sensitivity
The ability of an organism to sense stimuli from its internal and external environment and to give an appropriate response
Define Growth
Permanent increase in dry mass by an increase in cell size or cell number or both
Define Reproduction
The process of making more of the same organism
Define excretion
Removal from the body of toxic material, substances in excess requirements and waste products from metabolism
Define Nutrition
How can organisms be classified?
BY characteristics that they share
How are organisms traditionally classified?
Through their morphology and anatomy
Define a species
Group of organisms that reproduce to produce a fertile offspring
What is the bi-nominal system
A system of naming, in italic, organisms using their genus(Start with capital), and species (lower case). EG: Homo sapiens
How is DNA used in classification
Five kingdoms
- Animals
- Plants
- Fungi
- Prokaryotes
- Protoctists
Features of animals
- Multicellular
- Have a nucleus, but no cell wall or chloroplasts
- Heterotrophs
Features of plants
- Multicellular
- Have nucleus, cell wall made of cellulose, and chloroplasts
- Autotrophs, use photosynthesis to ger nutrients.
Features of fungi
- Multicellular
- Have a nucleus, a cell wall made of chitin, but no chloroplasts
- Feed by parasitic or saprophytic nutrition
Features of protoctotists
- Most are unicellular, some are multicellular
- They have a nucleus, some have a cell wall and chloroplasts
- Some are heterotrophs, while some are autotrophs through photosynthesis
Features of prokaryotes
- Unicellular
- No nucleus, no chloroplasts, but have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan
Features of mammals
- Fur/hair on the skin
- Have external ears, pinna
- Endothermic
- Have a placenta
- Have mammary glands
Features of birds
- Skin covered with feathers
- They have 2 legs and 2 wings, which replace forelimbs
- Lay hard-shelled eggs
- Endothermic
- Have a beak
Features of reptiles
- Skin covered in dry fixed scales
- lay rubber shelled eggs on land
Features of amphibians
- Moist, smooth skin
- Adults have lungs so live on lands, but larvae live in water and have gills
- Lay not shelled eggs in water
Features of fishes
- Moist, loose scales
- Have gills
- lay not shelled eggs in water
