Module 06 - Classification and Diversity Checklist

06.01 Classification of Living Organisms

The image shows a cladogram. The first clade divides amphibians from other
animals because amphibians lack amniotic eggs. The second clade divides the
turtles because they lack the opening in their skull for muscles. At the third clade,
the crocodiles, birds, dinosaurs, lizards, and snakes are divided from the other
animals because they lack fur or hair. This clade is further divided. The crocodiles
are on a opposite branch from lizards and snakes. Another branch divides crocodiles

from birds and yet another branch divides birds from dinosaurs. A fourth clade
divides the monotremes from other fur or haired animals because monotremes do
not birth their young. Of those organisms that do have live births, marsupials are
divided from placental mammals.

Cladogram 1
Groups G and H are most closely
related, while group A is the most
distant. Clades are represented by
numbers 1 through 7.

Cladogram 2
Groups A and B are more closely
related to each other than to any
other group, as are C and D, E and
F, and G and H. Clade 4 is more
closely related to 5, and clade 6 is
more closely related to clade 7.

Viruses and Viroids - Viroids: very small, circular RNA (may appear linear),
without a protein covering. They are infectious to plants. Virus: a submicroscopic
parasitic particle of a nucleic acid surrounded by protein that can only replicate within a
host cell.

Why are viruses considered nonliving things? Review the characteristics of living
things.
Characteristics of Living Things Review
The modern cell theory describes what we currently know about cells. It states:
All living things are made up of cells.
The cell is basic unit of structure and function in all living things.
New cells can only be produced from existing cells.
Viruses are not living organisms because they do not meet the requirements of the
cell theory, they do not have metabolic activities, and they lack the ability to
reproduce outside a host cell.

Basic Virus Shapes

Lipid: a broad group of

naturally occurring
molecules, which includes
fats and phospholipids

Viruses come in all shapes and microscopic sizes. Some have lipid envelopes and
some do not. Some have circular RNA, while others have linear DNA. If we consider
the organisms they infect, the classification can get complex. However, there are
some basic shapes for the protein coats of viruses. Lets review these shapes below.

Viral Infections
There are two types of viral infections: lytic and lysogenic. In a lytic infection, the
virus enters the host cell, replicates many copies, and destroys the cell in order to
get out and spread to others. In a lysogenic infection, the virus incorporates its DNA
into the DNA of the cell. It stays dormant and replicates with the cell DNA until the
cell is in danger of dying. At that time, the lysogenic infection will become lytic
in order to spread to other host cells.
For both types of infections, viruses attach to host cells and use the cells
resources to replicate their genetic material and parts. Sometimes, the cell
recognizes the protein as something it needs and brings it into the cell
through active transport or endocytosis. In a few instances, the virus contains
enzymes specific for breaking down cell walls in bacteria and plants. Once the
enzyme provides an opening, the virus injects its DNA or RNA into the cell.
Lytic and Lysogenic Infections
A slideshow depicting the life cycles of lytic and lysogenic infections.
Lytic Cycle Steps:
Slide 1: A little virus is shown attaching to a large cell.
When a virus, like a bacteriophage, infects a host cell, it follows a lytic or lysogenic
cycle. Both cycles begin with the virus attaching to the cell membrane of a host cell.

Slide 2: Multiple circles of viral DNA are shown within the host cell, along with
many new capsids and virus stems.
In the lytic cycle, viral genetic material is replicated and the viral genes direct the
cell to construct new viral parts.
Slide 3: These newly formed pieces are shown moving together to form new
viruses.
The viral genetic material and parts come together to make new viruses.
Slide 4: The little viruses are shown escaping from the broken cell.
The cell lyses, releasing the new viruses.
Lysogenic Steps:
Slide 5: A different colored piece of DNA is shown attaching itself to the host DNA.
In the lysogenic cycle, the genetic material of the virus becomes part of the host
DNA through transduction.
Slide 6: The host DNA is shown replicating, each copy containing the integrated
viral DNA.
The integrated DNA (prophage DNA) is replicated with the host DNA for several
cycles.
Slide 7: Multiple circles of viral DNA are shown within the host cell, along with
many new capsids and virus stems. These pieces come together to form new
viruses which then escape the broken cell.
When the cell is stressed or near death, the integrated DNA begins the lytic cycle.