The Unity & Diversity of Life

An Overview

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Vocabulary to know:
• Prokaryotic: cell contains no nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, but
does have ribosomes and DNA

• Eukaryotic: cell has a nucleus, organelles, ribosomes and DNA

• Unicellular: made up of one cell

• Multicellular: made up of many cells

• Autotroph: an organism that makes its own food

• Heterotroph: an organism that depends on others for food

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Why Cells are Important
• What happens inside cells causes us to be who we are.
(Genes)

• All diseases start at the level of the cell.

• All growth and life starts from a single cell.

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Types of cells

Prokaryote Eukaryote
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1. Prokaryotic Cells (Prokaryotes)

• Simplest, “primitive” cells with:

 NO membrane-bound organelles (“little
organs”)
 NO nucleus: genetic material floats free in
cell

• pro = before

• karyo = nucleus

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• Example: Bacteria (Kingdom: Monera)
 2 Subdivisions:

 1. Eubacteria – “true bacteria”

 2. Archaea – “ancient bacteria”

 Extremophiles: live in harsh environments (hot, acidic, salty)

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Archaea
• Cell Structure: prokaryotic (no nucleus)

• Unicellular

• They can make their own food by a process called chemosynthesis,

or they can consume food. (autotroph/heterotroph)

• Reproduction: asexual by binary fission Yellowstone Nat’l Park Hot Springs

• FYI:
 Typically found in extreme environments

 Thought to be the most primitive organisms on Earth

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Eubacteria
• Cell Structure: prokaryotic (no nucleus)

• Unicellular

• Autotrophic (chemosynthesis & photosynthesis) or

heterotrophic

• Reproduction: mostly asexual by binary fission, though some

can reproduce sexually by conjugation.

• FYI:
 Not all bacteria are harmful to humans

 They come in many shapes

 Used for biotechnology

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2. Eukaryotic Cells (Eukaryotes)

• Unicellular or multicellular

• Cells contain:
 a nucleus (with DNA)

 membrane-bound organelles

• Eu = true karyo = nucleus

• Complex internal structure

 “Compartments” allow many different chemical reactions

to take place simultaneously

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• Examples:  Kingdom Fungi – mushrooms,
molds, yeast
 Kingdom Protista – protozoa, algae, amoeba

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Kingdom: Protists
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic Unicellular

• Autotrophic (photosynthesis) or heterotrophic

• Reproduction: mostly asexual (binary fission), but

some sexual (conjugation)

• FYI:
 Mostly found in moist environments

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Kingdom: Fungi
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic Multicellular

• Heterotrophic- they’re decomposers

• Reproduction: asexual or sexual

• FYI:
 Some fungi can be harmful (Athlete’s foot, ringworm)

 Others are useful: yeast, edible mushrooms

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  Kingdom Animalia (Animals) –
• Kingdom Plantae (Plants)– ranges from
ranges from tiny worms to humans
moss to flowering plants

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Kingdom: Plants

• Cell Structure: eukaryotic

• Multicellular

• Autotrophic (photosynthesis)

• Reproduction: mostly sexual

• FYI:
 Carnivorous plants are NOT heterotrophs, they can also do
photosynthesis.
 Self-pollination is NOT asexual reproduction
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Kingdom: Animals
• Cell Structure: eukaryotic

• Multicellular

• Heterotrophic

• Reproduction: mostly sexual

• FYI:
 Some animals can reproduce asexually
(regeneration, budding, fragmentation)- ex.: starfish

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What about Viruses?
-Are they alive?
• PROS • CONS
– Have genetic material (DNA or RNA)  Cannot grow or replicate without
– Can replicate (with host) host (dormant)
– Have a protein coat  Are not cells

What do you think?

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Viruses
• NOT ALIVE!!!

• Made of DNA (or RNA) surrounded by

a protein coat

• Are NOT cells & cannot grow

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Viruses are extremely small! 18