Unit 3 Origin of Life, Evolution & Taxonomy
Glossary
acquired characteristics
Variations that occur in the body structure during the life of an individual caused by factors in
the environment.
analogous
body parts of two different organisms similar in function but dissimilar in structure, having
evolved from different ancestors.
anatomy
the study of the structure of organisms
Archaea
one of the three domains of life containing prokaryotic cells that often live in extreme habitats.
autotrophs
an organism that can capture energy and synthesize organic molecules from inorganic nutrients.
Organisms that can manufacture their own food.
biochemical analysis
study of the different types of chemical compounds in organisms
biogeography
the study of the distribution of plants and animals throughout the world.
binomial
a system for naming organisms using a two word name known as the scientific name. This name
is derived from the genus and species of that organism.
class
a taxonomic category that includes several orders.
domain
largest of the categories used by taxonomists to group species.
embryology
the study of the development of an organism from conception to birth.
eukaryotic cell
type of cell that has a membrane bound nucleus and membranous organelles.
extinction
the dying out of every member of a particular species.
family
a taxonomic group that includes several genera.
genus
a taxonomic category that includes several species.
heterotroph
organisms that can no manufacture their own food therefore must take in organic nutrients.
homologous
structures that are similar having evolved from a common ancestor which may differ in function.
kingdom
the most inclusive category used in biological classification of organisms.
mammalia
a class of vertebrates characterized by the presence of mammary glands and body hair.
mutation
an inherited alteration in chromosome structure or number.
natural selection
mechanism of evolution caused by factors in the environment that select organisms most fit to
reproduce.
order
the taxonomic category that includes several similar families.
phylum
a taxonomic group that includes several similar classes.
photosynthesis
Process by which plants algae make their own food using the energy of the sun.
prokaryotic cell
a cell lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.
protista
a kingdom of organisms which may have plant and animals characteristics, but most are
unicellular and simple in structure.
protocell
in biological evolution, a possible cell forerunner that became a cell once it could reproduce.
species
group of similarly constructed organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
taxonomy
the science of classification of living things
variations
differences among members of the same species or differences between different kinds of
organisms
vestigial structure
underdeveloped structure that was functional in some ancestor but is no longer functional in a
particular organism