Living Organisms are formed by various types of organic and inorganic biomolecules. Organic molecules involve macro biomolecules such as amino acids and mono-sugars or macro-biomolecules (high molecular weight, large size and slightly soluble). While, inorganic compounds can be minerals, water etc and are always macromolecules (low molecular weight, small size, diffusible and readily soluble in water). Both types of biomolecules play a huge role in metabolism.
Role Of Different Substances
Role of Water: Water makes 70-90% of the cellular pool and 65% which is around two-thirds of the human body, formed by Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms in the ratio 2:1. 5% of water is in the combined form in a cell while 95% is found in the free state. Water supports in sustaining essential life processes and hence called the cradle of lip and life is next to impossible without water.
Role of Oxygen: Oxygen is utilized mainly in aerobic cell respiration of the nutrients in the mitochondria to form ATP molecules which are energy-rich and 5% of the available energy is released in the absence of oxygen.
Role of common salt (Sodium chloride): Sodium chloride performs a huge role in metabolic functions of the body in ionic form.
Role of Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the organic compounds consisting of C, H and O in 1:2:1 ratio and commonly called saccharides. Carbohydrates are the major storage molecules and many organisms utilize carbohydrates as a major fuel in breaking these bonds and liberating energy.
Role of Proteins: Proteins are the polymeric compounds consisting of monomers (amino acids) by peptide bonds. Only 20 among 100 types of amino acids are of biological importance. Proteins perform a major role in the building structures in the living organisms. Similar to fat and carbohydrate, protein can be broken followed by the liberation of energy. Protein is normally used only as a substantial source of energy in starving situations.
Nomenclature
Nomenclature refers to assigning specific names to different structures involving living organism as their identity. Let’s look at types of Nomenclature:
- Polynomials nomenclature
- Binomial nomenclature
- Trinomial nomenclature
In binomial nomenclature, every scientific name holds two components namely specific name(species) and generic name (genus). For example, Homosapien (human being).
Types Of Taxonomy
- Alpha taxonomy: Only morphological characters are included for classification and identification of plants.
- Beta taxonomy: It holds anatomical, genetical, palynological, cytological and physiological characters.
- Omega taxonomy: Synthesis and analysis of every information and kind of data to develop a classification system.
Taxonomic Categories
The term taxonomy was coined by A. P. Candolle and consist of seven major taxonomic categories. It is the sequence of categories in ascending or descending order from to kingdom to the bottom-most species. The hierarchy holds two categories namely intermediate and obligate. Obligate is followed strictly and ranges from kingdom to species, but Intermediate is just its opposite.
Species: This the smallest and basic unit of classification. It refers to a group of population which is similar in form, shape and reproductive features. Fertile siblings can be formed due to similar reproductive features.
Genus: This is an assembly of a set of similar species that are involved in common ancestors and consist of common characters known as correlated characters. For example, leopard and cat are put in the genus Panthera.
Family: It is the set of similar genera. The families are classified based on the vegetative and reproductive features. For examples, tiger and lion are put in the Felidae family.
Order: It is the assembly of one or more than one common families, considered as a higher category. Felidae family are involved in the Carnivora order.
Class: A class points towards a subdivision in a phylum consisting of one or more than one order. The Mammalia class involves all the mammals which are gorilla, monkey, man and gibbon.
Phylum: It holds a set of similar classes. Phylum Chordata includes Mammalia along with reptiles, fishes, amphibians and birds.
Kingdom: Every animal which belongs to different phyla are assigned to the highest taxonomic category known as a kingdom. All animals along with plants are included in the kingdom Animalia and Plantae. A taxon is a unit that shows the group of organism depending on visible features.
Taxonomic Aids
Various methods that are applied to classify organisms are known as Taxonomic aids. Keys are used for identification depending on the contrasting characters and called as a Taxonomic key. Biologists use the botanical garden, herbarium, zoological parks in taxonomical studies.
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