Classification of Organisms

Picture Vocabulary

Organisms and Environments

Taxonomy

The branch of science that formally names and classifies organisms by

their structure, function, and relationships.

Structure

The arrangement of parts that form a living thing.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell containing a membrane-enclosed nucleus and organelles.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell lacking a nucleus or any other membrane-enclosed organelle.

Unicellular Organism

An organism made up of one cell.

Multicellular Organism

An organism made up of more than one cell, and often made up of

different types of cells.

Function

The special activity of a part.

Autotrophic Organism

An organism that is able to make its own food.

Heterotrophic Organism

An organism that cannot make its own food.

Reproduction

The process of an organism

producing more of its own kind.

Hydra budding

Sexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction that requires

both a male and a female parent.

Asexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction that

requires only one parent.

Domains

The primary or highest-ranking classification of organisms, which includes three groups:

Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Domain Bacteria

One of the three taxonomic domains; includes prokaryotic, single-celled organisms

that lack a membrane-enclosed nucleus and that can be classified by shape.

Domain Archaea

One of the three taxonomic domains; includes unicellular organisms that are

prokaryotic like bacteria, but also share characteristics with eukaryotes.

Domain Eukarya

One of the three taxonomic domains of organisms; cells contain a membrane-enclosed

nucleus.

Kingdoms

A taxonomic rank below domain that is composed of smaller groups: Archaea, Bacteria,

Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Kingdom Bacteria

Kingdom of prokaryotic, single-celled organisms that lack a membrane-enclosed nucleus and

can be classified by shape.

Kingdom Archaea

Kingdom of unicellular organisms that are prokaryotic like bacteria, but also share

characteristics with eukaryotes.

Kingdom Protista

Kingdom of single-celled and simple multiple-celled eukaryotic organisms.

Kingdom Fungi

Kingdom of heterotrophic eukaryotes that reproduce through asexual spores and have

chitin in their cell walls.

Kingdom Plantae

Kingdom of autotrophic eukaryotes that includes all plants.

Kingdom Animalia

Kingdom of heterotrophic eukaryotes that

includes all animals.