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 with a nucleus and membrane-bound 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

What something does.

Autotrophic Organism

An organism that obtains its nutrition from

simple, inorganic compounds.

Heterotrophic Organism

Unable to make its own food from simple

inorganic molecules.

Reproduction

The process by which organisms

produce more of their own kind.

Hydra budding

Sexual Reproduction

The reproductive process involving two parents

whose genetic material is combined to produce a

new organism different from themselves.

Asexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction that

requires only one parent.

Domains

The highest level of the taxonomic hierarchy; 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

The second highest level in the taxonomic hierarchy; contains six 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.