Nomenclature The naming of species and other taxa follows a set of rules, the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) for plants, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals. Some general rules for nomenclature: 1. All taxa must belong to a higher taxonomic group. Often a newly discovered organism is the sole species in a single genus, within a single family...

Cells produce water and carbon dioxide as by-products of metabolic breakdown of sugars, fats, and proteins. Chemical groups such as nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous must be stripped, from the large molecules to which they were formerly attached, as part of preparing them for energy conversion. The continuous production of metabolic wastes establishes a steep concentration gradient across the plas...

The Respiratory System and Gas Exchange Cellular respiration involves the breakdown of organic molecules to produce ATP. A sufficient supply of oxygen is required for the aerobic respiratory machinery of Kreb's Cycle and th,e Electron Transport System to efficiently convert stored organic energy into energy trapped in ATP. Carbon dioxide is also generated by cellular metabolism and must be remove...

Types of Skeletal Systems Movement is a major characteristic of animals. This movement is a result of contraction of muscles. The skeleton helps transmit that movement. Skeletons are either a fluid-filled body cavity, exoskeletons, or internal skeletons. Hydrostatic skeletons consist of fluid-filled closed chambers. Internal pressures generated by muscle contractions cause movement as well as ma...

The ability to reproduce is one of the unifying characteristics of all living things. Sexual reproductiotl produces offspring that are genetically different from their parents. Asexual reproduction produces offspring genetically identical to their parent. Asexual Reproduction Fission, budding, fragmentation, and the formation of rhizomes and stolons are some of the mechanisms that allow organism...