Classification
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Definitions
Species: A group of living things that are very similar and can have babies
together.
Kingdom: A large group that includes many different species. For example,
animals and plants are in different kingdoms.
Organism: Any living thing, like a plant, animal, or bacteria.
Protoctists: Simple living things that are not animals, plants, or fungi. They
often live in water.
Prokaryotes: Very small living things that do not have a nucleus. They
include bacteria.
Fungi: A group of living things that includes mushrooms and mold. They
usually grow in dark, damp places.
Plant: A living thing that grows in the ground, has leaves, and needs sunlight
to make food.
Animal: A living thing that moves and eats other living things. Humans and
dogs are examples of animals.
Diet: The kinds of food a person or animal eats.
Climate: The usual weather in a place over a long time.
Mature: Being fully grown or developed.
Breed (v): To produce babies or new plants by mating.
Selective Breeding: Choosing specific plants or animals to reproduce to get
certain traits in the babies.
Artificial Selection: When humans choose which plants or animals will breed,
instead of nature doing it.
Inherited Variation: Differences in traits that are passed from parents to their
babies.
Environmental Variation: Differences in traits caused by the living
conditions or surroundings.
Continuous Variation: Differences in traits that can change gradually, like
height.
Discontinuous Variation: Differences in traits that are clear and separate, like
blood type
The Linnaean System: The Linnaean system is a method of biological classification developed
by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. It organizes living organisms into hierarchical categories
based on shared characteristics. The main levels of classification in this system are:
1.Domain
2.Kingdom
3.Phylum
4.Class
5.Order
6.Family
7.Genus
8.Species
This system uses a binomial nomenclature format, where each species is given a two-
part name consisting of the genus name and the species identifier, allowing for
standardized naming across different languages and regions.
Dichotomous Key: A dichotomous key is a tool used to identify organisms through a series of
paired statements or questions. Each choice leads the user to further questions or directly to
the correct name or classification of the organism. This step-by-step approach simplifies the
identification process, allowing users to narrow down possibilities based on observable
characteristics.
Domain is the highest taxonomic rank in the biological classification system. It
categorizes life into three primary groups based on fundamental differences in cellular
organization and genetics. The three domains are:
1.Bacteria: Consists of prokaryotic organisms with simple cell structures,
lacking a nucleus. They are found in various environments and can be
beneficial or harmful.
2.Archaea: Also consists of prokaryotic organisms, but they have distinct
biochemistry and genetic characteristics. Many archaea are extremophiles,
thriving in harsh environments like hot springs and salt lakes.
3.Eukarya: Comprises all eukaryotic organisms, which have complex cells with
a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. This domain includes animals,
plants, fungi, and protists.
The domain is a foundational category in the Linnaean system, providing a broad
framework for understanding the diversity of life.
Biological Kingdoms
1. Animalia (Animals)
Examples of Organisms:
oLions, whales, frogs, insects
Key Characteristics:
oMulticellular organisms
oHeterotrophic (consume food)
oLack cell walls
oExhibit complex behaviors
Fun Facts or Trivia:
oThere are over 1.5 million known animal species.
oSome animals, like jellyfish, have been around for more than 500 million
years.
2. Plantae (Plants)
Examples of Organisms:
oTrees, flowers, ferns, mosses
Key Characteristics:
oMulticellular organisms
oAutotrophic (produce food through photosynthesis)
oHave cell walls made of cellulose
oExhibit a life cycle with alternation of generations
Fun Facts or Trivia:
oThere are around 390,000 known plant species.
oSome plants, like the giant sequoia, can live for over 3,000 years.
3. Fungi
Examples of Organisms:
oMushrooms, yeast, mold, truffles
Key Characteristics:
oMostly multicellular (except for yeast)
oHeterotrophic (absorb nutrients)
oHave cell walls made of chitin
oReproduce through spores
Fun Facts or Trivia:
oFungi play a crucial role in decomposition and nutrient recycling.
oThe largest living organism on Earth is a fungus in Oregon, covering over
2,385 acres.
4. Protoctista (Protoctists)
Examples of Organisms:
oAmoeba, algae, paramecium
Key Characteristics:
oMostly unicellular (some multicellular)
oCan be autotrophic or heterotrophic
oLack specialized tissues
Fun Facts or Trivia:
oAlgae contribute to about 50% of Earth's oxygen production.
oSome protoctists, like the giant kelp, can grow over 100 feet long.
5. Prokaryota (Bacteria and Archaea)
Examples of Organisms:
oEscherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus, methanogens
Key Characteristics:
oUnicellular organisms
oLack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
oCan be autotrophic or heterotrophic
oReproduce asexually through binary fission
Fun Facts :
oProkaryotes are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, with some
dating back over 3.5 billion years.
oThere are about 5 nonillion (5 followed by 30 zeros) bacteria on Earth.
Vox Pop Questions and Answers
1.What is biological classification?
oBiological classification is defined as the organization of living things
into categories based on shared characteristics.
2.Why is classification important in biology?
oClassification is considered important because it helps scientists
understand relationships between different organisms.
3.What are the main kingdoms of life?
oThe main kingdoms of life are classified as Animalia, Plantae, Fungi,
Protoctista, and Prokaryota.
4.How are animals classified?
oAnimals are classified based on characteristics such as body structure,
reproduction, and genetic relationships.
5.What characteristics define plants?
oPlants are defined by their ability to perform photosynthesis and their
multicellular structure.
6.What is a common example of a fungus?
oA common example of a fungus is a mushroom, which is classified
within the kingdom Fungi.
7.What role do protoctists play in ecosystems?
oProtoctists are recognized for their role in ecosystems as primary
producers and decomposers.
8.How are bacteria classified?
oBacteria are classified based on their shape, cell wall structure, and
metabolic processes.
9.What is the significance of the kingdom Fungi?
oThe kingdom Fungi is significant because it contributes to nutrient
cycling and decomposition in ecosystems.
10.How many species are estimated to be in the kingdom Animalia?
oIt is estimated that over 1.5 million species are classified in the
kingdom Animalia.
11.What are some examples of multicellular organisms?
oMulticellular organisms include classified examples such as trees and
elephants.
12.What is a key characteristic of prokaryotes?
oA key characteristic of prokaryotes is that they lack a nucleus and
membrane-bound organelles.
13.How is genetic information used in classification?
oGenetic information is used to determine evolutionary relationships
among different species.
14.What are autotrophic organisms?
oAutotrophic organisms are classified as those that can produce their
own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
15.What is an example of a unicellular organism?
oAn example of a unicellular organism is an amoeba, which is classified
under Protoctista.
16.Which kingdom includes both unicellular and multicellular organisms?
oThe kingdom Protoctista is known to include both unicellular and
multicellular organisms.
17.What classification system is commonly used?
oThe Linnaean system is commonly used for the classification of living
organisms.
18.How are species defined in biological terms?
oA species is defined as a group of organisms that can interbreed and
produce fertile offspring.
19.What are some characteristics of the kingdom Plantae?
oThe kingdom Plantae is characterized by the presence of chlorophyll
and cell walls made of cellulose.
20.What is the largest living organism classified as?
oThe largest living organism is classified as a fungus, specifically the
Armillaria ostoyae in Oregon.
21.How is the kingdom Prokaryota divided?
oThe kingdom Prokaryota is divided into two domains: Bacteria and
Archaea.
22.What are some common traits of fungi?
oCommon traits of fungi include the presence of chitin in their cell walls
and the ability to decompose organic matter.
23.What method is often used for classifying organisms?
oThe method of cladistics is often used for classifying organisms based
on shared derived characteristics.
24.How does environmental variation affect classification?
oEnvironmental variation can affect classification by influencing the
traits and adaptations of organisms.
25.What is the purpose of a dichotomous key?
oA dichotomous key is used to identify organisms based on a series of
choices that lead to the correct name or classification.
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