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Biology5B
Chapter 26: The tree of life
14
Biology
Undergraduate 2
04/29/2007

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Term
Protobionts
Definition
Aggregates of abiotically produced molecules surrounded by a membrane or membrane-like structure.
Term
Radiometric dating
Definition
technique that is based on the decay of radioactive isotopes. Each radioactive isotope has a fixed rate of decay.
Term
Half-life
Definition
this is the isotopes' number of years it takes for 50% of the original sample to decay, it is unaffectd by temperature, pressure, and other environmental variables.
Term
Geologic Record
Definition
The division of Earth's history into time periods, grouped into three eras: Archaean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic, and further subdivided into eras and epochs.
Term
Stromatolites
Definition
rocklike sturctures composed of many layers of bacteria and sediment.
Term
Cyanobacteria
Definition
the only living photosynthetic prokaryotes that generate O2.
Term
How did the complex organization of the eukaryotic cell evolve from the simpler prokaryotic condition?
Definition
In a process called endosymbiosis; which probably led to mitochondria and plastids.
Term
Serial Endosymbiosis
Definition
A model of the orgin of eukaryotes consisting of a sequence of endosymbiotic events in which mitochondria, chloroplasts, and perhaps other cellular structures were derived from small prokaryotes that had been engulfed by larger cells.
Term
Genetic Annealing
Definition
the production of a new genome through the transfer of part of the genome of one organism to another organism. (horizontal gene transfer)
Term
Colonies
Definition
collections of autonomously replicating cells.
Term
Three-domain system
Definition
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya; SUPERKINGDOMS, a taxonomic level higher than the kingdom level.
Term
The first prokaryotes
Definition
Prokaryotes were Earth's sole inhabitants from 3.5 to about 2 billion years ago.
Term
Electron transport systems
Definition
The first electron transport chains may have saved ATP by coupling the oxidation of organic acids to the transport of H+ out of the cell.
Term
Continental Drift
Definition
By rearranging landmasses, continental drift has sifnificantly affected evolution. THe formation and subsequent breakup of hte supercontinent PANGAEA explain many biogeographic puzzles.
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