Major Groups of Organisms Defined Protists Most diverse

Major Groups of Organisms Defined

Protists • Most diverse Kingdom of organisms • Most are not closely related to each other, but are grouped together due to their lack of relation to other organisms (junk drawer) • Taxomists are currently working to modify our current system of classification, which includes altering how these organisms are grouped

Paramecia • Contractile Vacuole: to remove excess water • Cilia: Movement and aids in consuming food Cilia Anal pore Oral groove Gullet Contractile vacuole

Euglena • Eyespot: detects lights • Chloroplast: photosynthesis • Flagellum: locomotion

Amoeba • Pseudopodium: movement and consuming food • Contractile vacuole: release excess water Pseudopodia Cytoplasm Nucleus Contractile vacuole

Fungi • Cell walls made of chitin http: //www. wisc-online. com/Objects/View. Object. aspx? ID=bio 304

Plantae • Eukaryotic, Multicellular, Autotrophs • Produces their own food (sugar) by photosynthesis

The 4 Plant Divisions (Phyla) • Mosses-most primitive; nonvascular plants; dependent on water • Ferns-reproduce via spores • Gymnosperms (Conifers)-large taproot; cones for reproductive structures “nakedseeds”; evergreens • Angiosperms- flowering plants; vascular system (xylem & phloem) most diverse plant division; most advanced; fruits for seed dispersal

Animals • Heterotrophic • Multicellular eukaryotes • No cell walls

Arthropods • Exoskeleton-hard outer covering for protection, support, & locomotion • Jointed legs • Segmented body-head, thorax, abdomen • Compound eyes-lots of lenses for seeing many angles • Specialized Mouthparts • Greatest Diversity of all Animals Image courtesy of John R. Meyer, Department of Entomology, NC State University

Annelids • Body cavity is divided into separate compartments by partitions called septa, which gives them their segmented appearance • Most are hermaphroditic (male & female gonads) • Live in moist environments and respire through their skin • Have a nervous system & closed circulatory system • Earthworms—vital to soil creation and maintenance

Amphibians • Cold-blooded vertebrates (no constant body temperature) • Said to have a “double-life” due to their life on land, but dependence on water • First group of animals to colonize land • Rely on water for reproduction and gas exchange • Undergo metamorphosis life cycle • Strong indicator of water quality

Mammals • Warm-Blooded (sweat glands— homeostasis) • Ability to “think” is best adaptation • Increased reproductive efficiency (quality vs quantity) & securing and processing food • Mammary Glands: provide nourishment for young (suckling instinct) • Live young (placentals—most diverse & marsupials)

Mammals • • Hair--body covering Fat & Energy Storage 4 -chambered heart Large lungs & diaphragm