Taxonomy

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Taxonomy Noun

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[tak-son-uh-mee]

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Taxonomy

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The scientific study of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on their shared characteristics.

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Example: This diagram shows taxonomy as an inverted pyramid, organizing life from the most general category (Life) at the top to the most specific (Species) at the bottom.

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Scientific Classification Noun

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[sy-en-tif-ik klas-uh-fi-kay-shun]

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Scientific Classification

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The method used by biologists to group and categorize organisms into a hierarchical system based on shared characteristics.

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Example: This diagram shows scientific classification by organizing living things into groups, starting with the broad Domain Eukarya and dividing it into four Kingdoms.

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Prokaryote Noun

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[pro-kar-ee-oht]

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Prokaryote

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A microscopic single-celled organism that lacks a distinct nucleus with a membrane and other specialized organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows the structure of a bacterium, a type of prokaryote. It highlights key parts like the nucleoid (where DNA is found) and the absence of a true nucleus.

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Eukaryote Noun

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[yoo-kar-ee-oht]

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Eukaryote

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An organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA contained within a distinct nucleus.

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Example: This diagram shows a detailed, labeled cutaway of a cell nucleus, the key membrane-bound organelle that defines an organism as a eukaryote.

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Unicellular Adjective

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[yoo-ni-sel-yuh-ler]

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Unicellular

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Describing a living organism that is composed of only one single cell for all of its life functions.

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Example: This diagram shows an amoeba, a classic example of a unicellular organism, with its key parts labeled to illustrate how a single cell functions independently.

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Multicellular Adjective

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[muhl-tee-sel-yuh-ler]

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Multicellular

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Describing a living organism that is composed of many different cells, which are often specialized for various functions.

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Example: This image shows that multicellular organisms, like humans, are made of many different types of specialized cells, such as bone, blood, and nerve cells.

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Asexual Reproduction Noun

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[ey-sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shun]

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Asexual Reproduction

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A type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes and requires only one parent organism.

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Example: This diagram shows how a single parent hydra produces a new, genetically identical offspring by growing a bud that detaches to become a new individual.

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Sexual Reproduction Noun

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[sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shun]

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Sexual Reproduction

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The production of new living organisms by combining genetic information from two individuals, typically requiring two parents.

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Example: This diagram shows the reproductive parts of a flower, where pollen from the male stamen fertilizes the female pistil's ovules, often with help from pollinators like bees.

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Autotroph Noun

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[aw-toh-trohf]

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Autotroph

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An organism that can produce its own food and energy, usually through a process like photosynthesis.

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Example: This diagram shows a plant using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create its own food (glucose), which is the definition of an autotroph.

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Heterotroph Noun

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[het-er-uh-trohf]

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Heterotroph

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An organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain energy by consuming other living organisms.

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Example: This food chain shows that heterotrophs (consumers), like the grasshopper, frog, and hawk, get their energy by eating other living things.