Taxonomy
Define Taxonomy
The scientific study of describing, naming, and classifying organisms
Define Phylogeny. What is a phylogenetic tree?
What is the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?
Process to make many copies of a DNA sequence from very few original copies.
Define the term Extremophile
Prokaryotes that live under extreme conditions
What is the purpose of plasmids in prokaryotes?
A plasmid is an extrachromosomal circular ring of DNA. It is transferable and may provide a selective advantage
How do we compose a Scientific Name?
__Genus Name__ __specific epithet__
Italicized when typing & underlined when written
Describe the meaning of the roots, lines, and nodes present on a phylogenetic tree
Root - the oldest point in the tree (common ancestor)
Lines - lineages (species/families)
Nodes - last common ancestor of the branches above
What is the difference between a Character & a Character State?
Character - a specific heritable attribute or property of an organism (flower color, number of walking legs)
Character states - one or more forms of a character (pink, red, blue, purple, 1,2,3,4,5)
What are the 2 reasons as to why Domain Archaea less studied?
1. Most archaea are extremophiles
2. None of them are pathogens (that we know of)
What is the bacterial cell wall made of? Do archaeal cell walls contain the same thing?
Peptidoglycan. Archaeal cell walls no not contain peptidoglycan
What is the difference between a Category and a Taxon?
Category - rank/level of taxonomic classification
Taxon - a named group of organisms
Define Homoplasy. What does it result from?
Organisms that look similar but aren't closely related. Results from convergent evolution.
What data do cladograms represent?
Shared derived character states.
Why are prokaryotes so important?
1. Key players in nutrient recycling (nitrogen fixation, nitrification, etc)
2. Prevent diseases & play a role in human health
3. Food production (vinegar, yogurt, cheese)
4. Production of pharmaceuticals
What are the two groups of Gram Stains? What color do they stain and why?
1. Gram positive - stain purple due to thick layer of peptidoglycan
2. Gram negative - stain pink due to thin layer of peptidoglycan
List the 3 domains. Which domains include prokaryotic organisms?
Eukarya, Archaea, & Bacteria
Archaea & Bacteria include prokaryotes
Define Convergent Evolution
Evolution of similar adaptions in organisms that do not share the same evolutionary lineage.
List the 4 common shapes of prokaryotes
- Coccus
- Bacillus
- Spirilla
- Vibrios
Describe the 3 modes of locomotion in bacteria
1. Flagella - long, thick filaments (movement)
2. Fimbriae - short, thin "hair-like", numerous (attachment)
3. Pili - longer than fimbriae, shorter than flagella (attachment, motility, & DNA transference)
What 4 kingdoms make up the Domain Eukarya?
Protists, Fungi, Plantae, & Animalia
What is an analogous structure?
A biological characteristic that 2+ different species have in common that was not inherited from a common ancestor.
Describe the Prokaryotic structure
- Smaller and less complex than eukaryotes
- Have a cell wall (reinforcement & protection)
- Lack nucleus & membrane-bound organelles
- Contains one, circular chromosome within the nucleoid
What are the two nutritional types of bacteria?
Energy:
Phototrophs (light) & Chemotrophs (get energy from chemicals)
Carbon:
Autotrophs (inorganic sources) & Heterotrophs (obtain carbon from organic compounds