Biosphere

sphere of life - the Earth

Ecosystem

A distinct geographical region that contains similar biota and abiotic conditions

Biota

Living components of an ecosystem

Abiotic conditions

Non-living aspects of an ecosystem that contribute to biotic success

Community

All of the living species within an ecosystem - no abiotic components

Population

A group of interacting individuals belonging to the same species - can successfully reproduce

Organism

Individual organisms -one__

System

groups of organs that work together to achieve a common function

Organ

a structure composed of numerous tissues that work together

Tissue

a sheet of cells that function together

Cell

the basic unit of LIFE

Organelles

cellular components

Molecules

chemical components of an organelle

Cellularity

all organisms are comprised of cells

Reproduction

all organisms are capable of producing offspring

Nutritional Requirements

all organisms require nutrients (glucose)

Irritability

all organisms respond to stimuli

Homeostasis (home-o-stasis)

all organisms change in order to remain the same

Mutation

all organisms experience changes in their genetic material (DNA)

Adaptation

all species experience the evolution of features that better equip them for survival

Taxonomy

Science dealing with the naming and classification of organisms

Binomial Nomenclature

Scientific names of organisms are written in binomial nomenclature

Binomial Nomenclature --First name

genus of organism (Capitalized)

Binomial Nomenclature -Second name

species of organism (not-captilaized)

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species or a group of species

Laurasia

A northern landmass --consisting of N. America, Asia and Europe

Gondwana

A southern landmass --consisting of S. America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica and India

Adaptive Radiation

emergence of numerous species from a common ancestor introduced into an environment

Comparative Anatomy

Identifying similar morphological features shared by different species

Homologous structures

structures that are similar in structure and in function and have a shared ancestry

Analogous structures

Structures that have a similar function for two organisms but differ somewhat structurally and have no shared ancestry

divergent evolution

evolution of several species from a common ancestor

convergent evolution

two separate species evolve similarly due to environment or need, but share no connection

Comparative Embryology

identifying similarities in embryos of different species that may represent evolutionary connections

Comparative Biochemistry

Similarities in the biochemical molecules of two different species

Phylogenetic Trees

A branching diagram that represents a hypothesis about evolutionary relationships. Based on similar morphology or similar genetics

Monophyletic Grouping (A clade)

Grouping of species consisting of an ancestral species and all of its decedants

Paraphyletic Grouping

Grouping of species consisting of an ancestral species and some, but not all of its descendants

Polyphyletic Grouping

Grouping of species derived from two or more different ancestors

Cladogram

A type of phylogenetic tree depicting patterns of shared characteristics among species, is drawn on a diagonal and based on a character table

Phylogram

A type of phylogenetic tree that the length of the branches reflects the number of genetic or evolutionary changes (mutation) that have taken place. Is formed using DNA or RNA base sequences

Ultrametric Tree

A type of phylogenetic tree that the length of the branches reflects measurement of time and are sometimes based on geologic time