eukaryotes
Cells with nuclei
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus enclosed by a membrane—a category that includes animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
The term distinguishes these complex cells from prokaryotes like bacteria, whose genetic material floats freely.
Humans are eukaryotes; the bacteria in our gut are not.
Eukaryotic microorganisms, mostly unicellular
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- plantsPhotosynthesizing rooted organisms
- animalsMulticellular mobile organisms
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
protozoa · yeast · amoeba · paramecium · diatoms · plankton · flagellates · slime molds
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- organellesSpecialized cell subunits
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
- lysosomesOrganelles containing breakdown enzymes
ribosomes · cytoskeleton · vacuoles · chloroplasts · cell membrane · peroxisomes · vesicles · microtubules
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- RNAGene expression molecule
- histonesDNA-winding nuclear proteins
- gene expressionDNA to functional product
transcription · translation · replication · mitosis · meiosis · diploid · haploid · nucleolus
Organism living within another
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
speciation · multicellularity · fossil record · Cambrian · ancestral · oxygen · aerobic
Area of control
- kingdomMonarch's ruled territory
- phylumMajor classification rank
- classGrouping by shared traits
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
family · genus · species · classification · phylogenetics · cladistics · taxon · monophyletic
protists
Eukaryotic microorganisms, mostly unicellular
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- plantsPhotosynthesizing rooted organisms
- animalsMulticellular mobile organisms
algae · protozoa · yeast · amoeba · paramecium · diatoms · plankton · flagellates · slime molds · multicellular
mitochondria
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- organellesSpecialized cell subunits
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
lysosomes · ribosomes · cytoskeleton · vacuoles · chloroplasts · cell membrane · peroxisomes · vesicles · microtubules · actin
chromosomes
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
gene expression · transcription · translation · replication · mitosis · meiosis · diploid · haploid · nucleolus · cell cycle
endosymbiosis
Organism living within another
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
adaptation · speciation · multicellularity · fossil record · Cambrian · ancestral · oxygen · aerobic
domain
Area of control
order · family · genus · species · classification · phylogenetics · cladistics · taxon · monophyletic · common ancestor
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- Cladesmammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
- Mesoproterozoicstromatolites
- protistsamoeba, amoebas, ciliate, dinoflagellate, Paramecium
- algaealgae, green algae, chlorella, red algae, kelp