Biology 114 Exam 2 Study Guide| With
Complete Verified Solution, Latest, Updated Fall
2024/2025.
transformation
(1) Incorporation of external DNA into a cell. Occurs naturally in some bacteria; can be induced in the
laboratory. (2) Conversion of a normal mammalian cell to one that divides uncontrollably.
taxonomy
The branch of biology concerned with describing, naming, and classifying groups of organisms.
direct sequencing
A technique for identifying and studying microorganisms that cannot be grown in culture. Involves
detecting and amplifying copies of specific genes in the microorganisms' DNA, sequencing these genes,
and then comparing the sequences with the known sequences from other organisms.
systematics
The subdiscipline of biology that characterizes and classifies the relationships among all organisms on
Earth.
monophyletic group
An evolutionary unit that includes an ancestral population and all of its descendants but no others. Also
called a clade or lineage. Compare with paraphyletic group and polyphyletic group.
enrichment culture
A method of detecting and obtaining cells with specific characteristics by placing a sample, containing
many types of cells, under a specific set of conditions (e.g., temperature, salt concentration, available
nutrients) and isolating those cells that grow rapidly in response.
hybrid zone
A geographic area where interbreeding occurs between two species, sometimes producing fertile hybrid
offspring.
phylogeny
The evolutionary history of a group of organisms.
Eukarya
One of the three taxonomic domains of life, consisting of unicellular organisms (most protists, yeasts)
and multicellular organisms (fungi, plants, animals) distinguished by a membrane bound cell nucleus,
numerous organelles, and an extensive cytoskeleton. Compare with Archaea and Bacteria.
, methanotroph
A prokaryote that uses methane (CH4) as its primary electron donor and source of carbon.
background extinction
The average rate of low-level extinction that has occurred continuously throughout much of evolutionary
history. Compare with mass extinction.
ancestral trait
A trait found in the ancestors of a particular group.
Cenozoic era
The most recent era of geologic time, beginning 66 million years ago, during which mammals and birds
became the dominant vertebrates on land and angiosperms became the dominant plants on land.
transduction
(1) The conversion of information from one mode to another. For example, the process by which a
stimulus outside a cell is converted into a response by the cell. (2) The transfer of DNA from one bacterial
cell to another by a virus.
prokaryote
(adjective: prokaryotic) A member of the domain Bacteria or Archaea; a unicellular organism lacking a
nucleus and containing relatively few organelles or cytoskeletal components. Compare with eukaryote.
postzygotic isolation
Reproductive isolation resulting from mechanisms that operate after mating of individuals of two
different species occurs. The most common mechanisms are the death of hybrid embryos or reduced
fitness of hybrids.
biofilm
A complex community of bacteria enmeshed in a polysaccharide-rich, extracellular matrix that allows the
bacteria to attach to a surface.
chemoorganotroph
An organism that produces ATP by oxidizing organic molecules with high potential energy such as sugars.
Also called organotroph. Compare with chemolithotroph.
impact hypothesis
The hypothesis that a collision between Earth and an asteroid caused the mass extinction that ended the
Cretaceous, 66 million years ago.
photosynthesis
The complex biological process that converts light energy to chemical energy stored in the carbohydrate
G3P. Occurs in most plants, algae, and some bacteria.
Complete Verified Solution, Latest, Updated Fall
2024/2025.
transformation
(1) Incorporation of external DNA into a cell. Occurs naturally in some bacteria; can be induced in the
laboratory. (2) Conversion of a normal mammalian cell to one that divides uncontrollably.
taxonomy
The branch of biology concerned with describing, naming, and classifying groups of organisms.
direct sequencing
A technique for identifying and studying microorganisms that cannot be grown in culture. Involves
detecting and amplifying copies of specific genes in the microorganisms' DNA, sequencing these genes,
and then comparing the sequences with the known sequences from other organisms.
systematics
The subdiscipline of biology that characterizes and classifies the relationships among all organisms on
Earth.
monophyletic group
An evolutionary unit that includes an ancestral population and all of its descendants but no others. Also
called a clade or lineage. Compare with paraphyletic group and polyphyletic group.
enrichment culture
A method of detecting and obtaining cells with specific characteristics by placing a sample, containing
many types of cells, under a specific set of conditions (e.g., temperature, salt concentration, available
nutrients) and isolating those cells that grow rapidly in response.
hybrid zone
A geographic area where interbreeding occurs between two species, sometimes producing fertile hybrid
offspring.
phylogeny
The evolutionary history of a group of organisms.
Eukarya
One of the three taxonomic domains of life, consisting of unicellular organisms (most protists, yeasts)
and multicellular organisms (fungi, plants, animals) distinguished by a membrane bound cell nucleus,
numerous organelles, and an extensive cytoskeleton. Compare with Archaea and Bacteria.
, methanotroph
A prokaryote that uses methane (CH4) as its primary electron donor and source of carbon.
background extinction
The average rate of low-level extinction that has occurred continuously throughout much of evolutionary
history. Compare with mass extinction.
ancestral trait
A trait found in the ancestors of a particular group.
Cenozoic era
The most recent era of geologic time, beginning 66 million years ago, during which mammals and birds
became the dominant vertebrates on land and angiosperms became the dominant plants on land.
transduction
(1) The conversion of information from one mode to another. For example, the process by which a
stimulus outside a cell is converted into a response by the cell. (2) The transfer of DNA from one bacterial
cell to another by a virus.
prokaryote
(adjective: prokaryotic) A member of the domain Bacteria or Archaea; a unicellular organism lacking a
nucleus and containing relatively few organelles or cytoskeletal components. Compare with eukaryote.
postzygotic isolation
Reproductive isolation resulting from mechanisms that operate after mating of individuals of two
different species occurs. The most common mechanisms are the death of hybrid embryos or reduced
fitness of hybrids.
biofilm
A complex community of bacteria enmeshed in a polysaccharide-rich, extracellular matrix that allows the
bacteria to attach to a surface.
chemoorganotroph
An organism that produces ATP by oxidizing organic molecules with high potential energy such as sugars.
Also called organotroph. Compare with chemolithotroph.
impact hypothesis
The hypothesis that a collision between Earth and an asteroid caused the mass extinction that ended the
Cretaceous, 66 million years ago.
photosynthesis
The complex biological process that converts light energy to chemical energy stored in the carbohydrate
G3P. Occurs in most plants, algae, and some bacteria.
