BIOL 115 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Pseudopodia, Covalent Bond, Hydrogen Bond
Document Summary
Diversity = differences between organisms (or within a species of organisms) Geological periods subdivide the history of life on earth. Scientists refer to the variety within and among living species as biological diversity. We can see diversity in life all around us; diversity can be obvious or subtle. Kingdoms are a taxonomic category of the highest rank, each grouping together all forms of life, having certain fundamental characteristics in common. A species is a group of individuals that regularly breed together and are generally distinct from other species in appearance or behaviours. Systematists use extrapolation to predict the total number of genera left to discover. Until ~60 years ago, organisms were classified based on observations of behavior, shape, size, etc. Plants: organisms that were immobile and apparently made their own food. Animals: organisms that could move about and relied on other organisms for food.