Dichotomous Key Vocab

Unicellular

Also known as a single-celled organism, is an organism that consists of only one cell, unlike a multicellular organism that consists of more than one cell.

Autotroph

An autotroph or producer, is an organism that produces complex organic compounds from simple substances present in its surroundings, generally using energy from light or inorganic chemical reactions

Heterotrophic

An organism that cannot manufacture its own food and instead obtains its food and energy by taking in organic substances, usually plant or animal matter.

Mulicellular

Are organisms that consist of more than one cell, in contrast to unicellular organisms

3 Domains of Classfication

Eukaryota (contains all eukaryotic organisms), Bacteria (contains all other bacteria including those causing disease), Archaea (Contains chemosynthetic bacteria living in harsh environments.)

6 Kingdoms of Classification

Plantae (Eukaryotic with cell walls of cellulose), Animals, Protista (Unicellular and multi-cellular), Fungi (Mostly Multi-cellular), Archaebacteria (Prokaryotes unicellular), Eubacteria (True Bacteria).

Eukaryotic

The defining feature that sets eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is that they have membrane-bound organelles, especially the nucleus, which contains the genetic material, and is enclosed by the nuclear envelope.

Taxonomic Group (Levels of Organization)

There are seven main taxonomic ranks: kingdom, phylum (or "divison" in plants), division, class, order, family, genus, species (most specific & most important).

Decomposer

break down dead plants and animals.

Phylogenetic Tree

is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the inferred evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities—their phylogeny—based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

Binomial Nomenclature

is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages.

Taxon

is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit

Prokaryotic

is a single-celled organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus, mitochondria, or any other membrane-bound organelle.

Dichotomous Key

is a tool that allows the user to determine the identity of items in the natural world, such as trees, wildflowers, mammals, reptiles, rocks, and fish

Chemosynthetic

is the biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules

Hierarchical

of the nature of a hierarchy; arranged in order of rank.

Classification

the action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics.

Taxonomy

the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics.

Photosynthetic

the complex process by which carbon dioxide, water, and certain inorganic salts are converted into carbohydrates by green plants, algae, and certain bacteria, using energy from the sun and chlorophyll.