STAAR Notebook 5

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms into groups based on shared characteristics. Organisms are given a scientific name made up of its genus and a specific epithet. Standard scientific names help scientists to avoid confusion by allowing all scientists to use the same name for a specific species. Having a common system for classifying organisms can help scientists find evolutionary relationships between species.

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Classifying Organisms

Use this phrase to remember the sequence of the taxonomic groups: These organisms are the most closely related because they are from the same species (Canis familiaris). Use this phrase to remember the sequence of the taxonomic groups: “Did King Phillip Come Over For Grape Soda?” Gray wolf (Canis lupus) Dalmation (Canis familiaris) German Shepherd (Canis familiaris) All three of these organisms are from the same genus (Canis). Species in the same genus are closely related. Most closely Related species Most closely related organisms

Organisms that share more taxonomic levels are more closely related. ALWAYS start at the beginning of a dichotomous key and follow the steps. Species that share a more recent ancestor are more closely related.

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Comparing Kingdoms

Organisms can move around freely Eukaryotes Have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Important Note: All multicellular organisms are also eukaryotic. Prokaryotes Do NOT have a nucleus in their cells. Important Note: All forms of bacteria are prokaryotic.   Most plants, animals, fungi, and many protists sexually reproduce. But ALL kingdoms have members that reproduce asexually. Bacteria and archaea reproduce asexually through binary fission. Mobile Organisms can move around freely Immobile Organisms cannot move around

The organism is made up many cells. Unicellular or Single-Celled Multicellular The organism is made up many cells. Unicellular or Single-Celled The organism is made up of one cell. Autotrophic Organisms can make their own food. This is primarily done through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Heterotrophic Organisms get their nutrition from an outside source. This is usually done by eating or absorbing nutrients.  

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Plants

Roots absorb water and nutrients for the plant. Water and nutrients are absorbed by the roots then transported by the shoot system to the rest of the plant. Vascular tissues carry water and nutrients through the plant. Xylem transports water and minerals up through the plant. Phloem carries sugars from the shoot system down to the roots.

Sugars are produced in the leaves and stored in the roots Photosynthesis Plants need water and carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce sugars. They do this through the process of photosynthesis. Sugars are produced in the leaves and stored in the roots and fruit of the plant. If water is not available, plants will not be able to produce sugars through photosynthesis.

Pollen grains contain the male gamete cells of the plant. Reproductive System Pollen grains contain the male gamete cells of the plant. Petals attract pollinators, like birds and bees, to the plant. Pollen is released from the anther and transferred to the stigma.

Plant hormones, like auxin, stimulate the growth of plants toward or away from stimuli. Gravitropism (or geotropism) is growth in response to gravity, and thigmotropism is growth in response to touch.

Stomata are the tiny openings in leaves that allow gases to enter and exit the leaves. When water levels are low, the stomata close to prevent water from evaporating from the leaves. Carnivorous plants have specialized leaves that respond to the stimuli of insects that have landed on them. These insects are digested by the plants to provide nitrogen and other nutrients for the plants.

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Carbon Cycle

Carbon is absorbed by plants from the air as CO2. Carbon is passed through the food chain as sugars and other organic molecules. Carbon is stored in fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Carbon is dissolved in the ocean and found in ocean sediments. Carbon is stored in Earth’s biota (living things). Carbon is stored in rocks like limestone.

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon is released into the atmosphere through respiration. Cement production releases carbon into the atmosphere. Rising global temperatures reduces the CO2 dissolved in oceans and increases the CO2 in the atmosphere. Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon increases as carbon outputs increase and carbon reservoirs are destroyed.

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is absorbed from the soil by plants and passed through the food chain as amino acids and other nitrogenous compounds. Lightning converts N2 gas in the air into NH3, then the rain carries this nitrogen down to the soil! Nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in these root nodules! Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen into forms that can be absorbed and used by plants!

Fertilizers can disrupt the nitrogen cycle by adding too much nitrogen to the environment. In aquariums, food and feces add nitrogen to the water. Algal blooms occur when runoff carries fertilizers into waterways. Adding aquatic plants to an aquarium can help remove excess nitrogen from the water!

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Quiz Next Class!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Study STAAR 5 for Quiz next class! Will count double in the gradebook!