evolu on
Descent with modifica on; gene c change in a popula on or species over genera ons; the
heritable changes that have produced Earth's diversity of organisms.
Hardy-Weinberg
The condi on describing a nonevolving popula on (one that is in gene c equilibrium).
Natural Selec on
A process in which organisms with certain inherited characteris cs are more likely to survive
and reproduce than are organisms with other characteris cs; unequal reproduc ve success.
Domain
A taxonomic category above the kingdom level. The three categories of life are Archaea,
Bacteria, and Eukarya.
Kingdoms
In classifica on, the broad taxonomic category above phylum.
eukaryote
A type of cell that has a membrane-enclosed nucleus and other membrane-enclosed organelles.
All organisms except bacteria and archaea.
virus
A microscopic par cle capable of infec ng cells of living organisms and inser ng its gene c
material. Have a very simple structure and are generally not considered to be alive because they
do not display all of the characteris cs associated with life.
Pro stan
Any eukaryote that is not a plant, animal, or fungus.
Archaea
One of two prokaryo c domains of life, the other being Bacteria.
Bacteria
, One of two prokaryo c domains of life, the other being Archaea.
Fungi
A heterotrophic eukaryote that digests its food externally and absorbs the resul ng small
nutrient molecules. Most of these consist of a netlike mass of filaments called hyphae. Molds,
mushrooms, and yeasts are examples of this.
Eukarya
The domain of eukaryotes, organisms made up of eukaryo c cells; includes all of the pro sts,
plants, fungi, and animals.
Plants
A mul cellular eukaryote that carries out photosynthesis and has a set of structural and
reproduc ve terrestrial adapta ons, including a mul cellular, dependent embryo.
Animals
A eukaryo c, mul cellular, heterotrophic organism that obtains nutrients by inges on.
Plantae
the taxonomic kingdom comprising all living or ex nct plants
Animalia
taxonomic kingdom comprising all living or ex nct animals
Prokaryote
An organism characterized by prokaryo c cells. See also prokaryo c cell.
prokaryo c cell
A type of cell lacking a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryo c cells are
found only among organisms of the domains Bacteria and Archaea.
Methanogens
any of a diverse group of widely distributed archaebacteria that occur in anaerobic
environments, as the intes nal tracts of animals, freshwater and marine sediments, and
sewage, and are capable of producing methane from a limited number of substrates, including
carbon dioxide and hydrogen, acetate, and methylamines: an important source of natural gas.
Halophiles