The Unity & Diversity of Life
An Overview
Vocabulary to know:
• Prokaryotic: cell contains no nucleus, no
membrane-bound organelles, but does have
ribosomes and DNA
• Eukaryotic: cell has a nucleus, organelles,
ribosomes and DNA
• Unicellular: made up of one cell
• Multicellular: made up of many cells
• Autotroph: an organism that makes its own food
• Heterotroph: an organism that depends on others
for food
Kingdom: Archaea
• Cell Structure: prokaryotic
(no nucleus)
• Unicellular
• They can make their own
food by a process called
chemosynthesis, or they
can consume food.
(autotroph/heterotroph)
• Reproduction: asexual by
binary fission
• FYI:
– Typically found in extreme
environments
– Thought to be the most
primitive organisms on
Earth
Yellowstone Nat’l Park Hot Springs
Kingdom: Bacteria
• Cell Structure: prokaryotic
(no nucleus)
• Unicellular
• Autotrophic (chemosynthesis
& photosynthesis) or
heterotrophic (recall
fermentation)
• Reproduction: mostly asexual
by binary fission, though
some can reproduce sexually
by conjugation.
• FYI:
– Not all bacteria are harmful to
humans
– They come in many shapes
– Used for biotechnology
Kingdom: Protists
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic
(has nucleus)
• Unicellular
• Autotrophic
(photosynthesis) or
heterotrophic
• Reproduction: mostly
asexual (binary fission),
but some sexual
(conjugation)
• FYI:
– Mostly found in moist
environments
Kingdom: Fungi
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic
(has nucleus)- some have
more than one!
• Multicellular
• Heterotrophic- they’re
decomposers
• Reproduction: asexual or
sexual
• FYI:
– Some fungi can be harmful
(Athlete’s foot, ringworm)
– Others are useful: yeast,
edible mushrooms
Kingdom: Plants
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic
(has nucleus)
• Multicellular
• Autotrophic
(photosynthesis)
• Reproduction: mostly
sexual
• FYI:
– Carnivorous plants are NOT
heterotrophs, they can also
do photosynthesis.
– Self-pollination is NOT
asexual reproduction
Kingdom: Animals
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic
(has nucleus)
• Multicellular
• Heterotrophic
• Reproduction: mostly
sexual
• FYI:
– Some animals can
reproduce asexually
(regeneration, budding,
fragmentation)- ex.: starfish
Hydra
Starfish
More about Plants & Animals
• Plants and animals have many structural
adaptations- this is the reason we see so
many different kinds of them.
• Recall an adaptation is any inherited trait
that increases an organisms chance of
survival.
• What kinds of adaptations have they come
up with, and what purpose do they serve?
Plant Adaptations
• For life on land:
– Vascular tissue- tube-like
cells that transport water
and nutrients from roots to
leaves
• Called xylem (for water)
and phloem (for food)
– Roots- help anchor the plant
to the ground and absorb
water and nutrients from
soil
• Desert plants have shallow
roots- quickly absorb rain
Plant Adaptations
– Stems- support plant
• hold up leaves for
photosynthesis
• hold up flowers to
pollinators
• transport water and
food
• can protect against
predators
Plant Adaptations
– Leaves- used for
photosynthesis, control
gas exchange and
water loss
• Rainforest floor- broad
leaves
• Desert- cactus have
spines to prevent water
loss
• Cold climates- needles
on evergreen trees
Plant Adaptations
• For Reproduction:
– Attracting pollinatorsbrightly colored or
fragrant flowers
– Seeds- protective coat
outside, nourishment
inside to protect plant
embryo and allow it to
lie dormant for awhile.
Animal Adaptations
• For life on land:
– Amniotic eggprovides food &
protection to
developing embryo
(Reptiles developed it
first.)
Animal Adaptations
• Reproductive:
– Internal fertilizationsperm more likely to
get to the egg, and egg
is protected inside the
female
Animal Adaptations
• Predators:
– Speed- ex.: lions,
cheetahs
– Toxin production to
stun/kill prey- ex.:
jellyfish, snakes
– Hunt at dark using
• Echolocation- ex.: bats
• Night vision/big eyesex.: owl
Animal Adaptations
• Prey:
– Mimicry- look like
something harmful
– Camouflage- blend in
– Warning colors &
toxins
• Ex. Monarch butterfly,
poison dart frogs
– Puff up- look bigger
– Regeneration- grow
back legs or tails
Snowshoe Hare
Camoflauge for all seasons