Classification Worksheet and Readings - Taxonomy, Exercises of Plant Taxonomy and Evolution

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Classification

Worksheets and

Readings

STANDARD V: Students will understand that structure is used to develop classification systems.

Objective 1: Classify based on observable properties. a. Categorize nonliving objects based on external structures (e.g., hard, soft). b. Compare living, once living, and nonliving things. c. Defend the importance of observation in scientific classification. d. Demonstrate that there are many ways to classify things.

Objective 2: Use and develop a simple classification system. a. Using a provided classification scheme, classify things (e.g., shells, leaves, rocks, bones, fossils, weather, clouds, stars, planets). b. Develop a classification system based on observed structural characteristics. c. Generalize rules for classification. d. Relate the importance of classification systems to the development of science knowledge. e. Recognize that classification is a tool made by science to describe perceived patterns in nature.

Objective 3: Classify organisms using an orderly pattern based upon structure. a. Identify types of organisms that are not classified as either plant or animal. b. Arrange organisms according to kingdom (i.e., plant, animal, Monera, fungi, protist). c. Use a classification key or field guide to identify organisms. d. Report on changes in classification systems as a result of new information or technology.

ƒ Order – Share common structure and traits; made up of several Families; Order Primate (flexible hands and feet). ƒ Family – Share common characteristics; made up of several Genera; Family Homindae (bipedal – walks on two feet). ƒ Genus – Have common characteristics, structures, and organization; made up of several Species; Genus Homo (large brain).

ƒ Species – Most basic; members resemble each other; can produce fertile

offspring; sapiens (knowing, knowledge, thinking).

o The scientific name for human beings isHomo sapiens.

ƒ Homo – Latin for “man.”

ƒ sapiens – Latin for “wise; to be wise.”

ƒ Homo sapiens – The Wise Man.

How can you remember each level of the classification hierarchy? ƒ K aty p lease c ome o ver f or g inger s naps. ƒ K ids p refer c heese o ver f ried g reen s pinach. ƒ K ing P hillip c alled o ut f or g ood s oup. ƒ K ing P hilip c an o nly f arm g reen s pinach. ƒ K enneth, p lease c lose o ur f ront g ate s oon. ƒ K eep p lates c lean o r f amily g ets s ick.

ƒ Linnaeus gave species two names.

o The two names are the genus and species. ƒ This is known as binomial nomenclature or the scientific name. o All names are given in Latin. ƒ This is because Latin does not change. o All Names are unique for each species. o By using a scientific name, you know exactly which species you are talking about.

The scientific name also tells you which species are similar.

• Which of these three species are similar:

o Erithacus johnstoniae

o Turdus migratorius

o Erithacus rubecula

• If you selectedErithacus johnstoniae andErithacus rubecula, you are correct!

o Erithacus johnstoniae andErithacus rubecula share the same genus –

Erithacus.

o While different species, these two birds still share some common characteristics.

How do we go about classifying things?

• Living things are ccllaassssiiffiieedd based on “observable properties!” o (“Observable properties” are things you can see)
• Examples of observable properties: o Living, once living, non-living o External structure – hard or soft o Patterns – geometric shapes, symmetry, etc.

Rules you need to follow when ccllaassssiiffyyiinngg

ƒƒ Know what is being classified. ƒƒ Make many observations about the things being ccllaassssiiffiieedd.. ƒƒ^ CCllaassssiiffy things based on your observations.y ƒ Group the most similar things together. ƒ When grouping living things, place the most similar organisms in the same species. ƒ The largest, or most general, group of living things is the kingdom. How would you identify this lizard? ƒ Get a book, look at all the pictures, and select the one that most looks like the picture?

o No!

• You want to use a classification key (also called a dichotomous key).
• A classification key asks a question and gives you two answers.
• The answer you select takes you to another question until you finally identify the lizard.

Look at an example of a classification (dichotomous) key:

1a. This organism has an exoskeleton - go to question 2 1b. This organism has an endoskeleton or no skeleton - go to question 3

2a. This organism has thin black body and a red stripe on its abdomen - go to question 4a. 2b. This organism has a thick black body with large grey/brown abdomen - go to question 4b.

• Isn’t this much easier than looking through a book?

Characteristics of living things:

**1. Living things are made of cells.

2. Living things use energy
3. Living things grow and develop.
4. Living things respond to the environment.
5. Living things reproduce.**

You are now ready to become

classification gurus!

Classification Vocabulary

Bilateral Symmetry – If you divide something in half (have a left and right side), the

sides are “mirror images.” (Most animals have bilateral symmetry).

Classification – To put things into groups of some kind. It is usually done based on some

type of similarities.

Classification Key – A device used to identify what group an organism or object is in.

Most use a two choice system where you answer yes or no to each question to arrive at

the correct group. (Also known as a dichotomous key.) Dichotomous comes from the

Greek “dikhotomia” (cutting in two); from “dikho-” (apart, in two) + “temnein” (to cut).

Diversity – A variety of something; many different things.

Kingdom – The largest of the classification groupings. Currently scientists have

identified five kingdoms: plant, animal, protist, yeast and Monera.

Organism – Any living thing.

Radial Symmetry – Can be divided into two identical halves when divided at any angle.

Species – The smallest of the classification groupings. Any group of organisms that

share common genetic information. Members of a species are capable of breeding and producing offspring that can also reproduce. Species comes from the Latin “specere” (appearance, kind).

Words from Science – Classification

(Taken fromWords of Science and the History Behind Them, by Dr. Isaac Asimov &The

Encarta Dictionary, 2006 Edition)

Animal – comes from the Latin word “anima” (breath). It was originally believed that

plants were not alive but animals were because they could move and breathe.

Bacteria – comes from the Greek “bakterion” (a little rod) since a number of them have

the appearance of tiny rods.

Diversity – From the Latin “diversus” (separate).

Classification Pre-Test

Match the letter of the word in the column on the right with the phrase. Not all letters will be used.

_____ A word that means “different kinds” _____ The procedure for grouping organisms _____ Who made the system of classification of grouping organisms? _____ Classification is based upon _________. _____ The smallest grouping that can interbreed. _____ The term for a scientific name made up of two Latin names. _____ An organisms name always begins with a ___. _____ The largest grouping in classification.

Answers:

A. Species B. Small letter C. Linnaeus D. Kingdom E. Diversity F. Darwin G. Capital letter H. Classification I. Structure J. Binomial nomenclature K. Phylum

Number the following classification groups from the largest to the smallest (the largest group will be Number 1)

_____ Class _____ Genus _____ Kingdom _____ Species _____ Phylum _____ Order _____ Family

However many ways there may be of being alive, it is certain that there are vastly more ways of being dead.

• Richard Dawkins

Classification^1.

Classification is a very important part of science (and everyday life). We use it to

show differences between objects and organisms^2. We see how things are similar and

different.

Why do we classify things? Imagine trying to look up a phone number in a phonebook with no organization. The Brigham City phonebook is 56 pages long. It has over 5,000 phone numbers. How would you like to have to look up a friend’s phone number if there was no order? You’d have to look at every name, on every page, until you found it. It wouldn’t be of much use to you.

This is why scientists classify. Classification helps make our world a bit easier to understand.

How Did We Get a Classification System?

Classification goes back to the beginning of time. Dinosaurs classified things. Really, they did! For example, plant-eaters classified things as “What can I eat?” and “What will eat me?” They classified their food – “What can I eat?” and “What can’t I eat?”

This information is kind of important to having a good day. If you’re eaten, that

ruins your whole day. Eating something that makes you sick is not as bad as being eaten.

Still, it’s not too nice a thing to have happen.

Even meat-eaters like T-Rex classified. They needed to know “What can I get to eat that’s easy” (dinosaur version of fast food!) and which animals were going to put up a fight. Whenever possible, meat-eaters preferred “fast food!”

(^1) classification - To put things into groups of some kind. It is usually done based on some type of

similarities. 2 organism – any living thing.

• Genus – Made up of several species.
• Species – A distinct organism whose characteristics remain constant from year- to-year. As we move down the classification hierarchy, members become more and more similar. The number of species slowly decrease until there is just one. It would look like an upside-down pyramid.

How can you remember each level? Here are some sayings that might help:

• K aty p lease c ome o ver f or g inger s naps.
• K ids p laying with c ars o n f reeways g et s quashed.
• K ids p refer c heese o ver f ried g reen s pinach.
• K ing P hilip c ame o ver f or g ood s paghetti.
• K ings p lay c hess o n f unky g reen s tools.

And don’t forget the every popular:

• K issing p eople c arries o ver f ungus, g erms & s pit.

Linnaeus also developed binomial nomenclature (also known as the scientific

name ). Binomial nomenclature means “two names.” He gave each species to names, a

genus name and a species name. He used Latin to name species. He did this because Latin is a dead language. Words and meanings will not change.

Each species has a unique name. When you use the scientific name, everyone

knows exactly which species you are talking about.

If two species share the same genus, you know they are very similar to each

other. For example, the birdsErithacus johnstoniae (the Collared Bush Robin) and

Erithacus rubecula (British Robin) are very similar to each other.

That’s Great, But How Do We Actually Classify?

I know what you’re thinking right now. That’s all fine. But how do we really

classify something? Good question. Let’s look at the answer.

We classify things based on “observable properties.” What that means is that we classify things based one what we can see. Here are some examples of observable properties:

• External structure o Hard o Soft
• Living, once living, non-living
• Patterns o Shape

o Symmetrical^5

o Asymmetrical^6

How do we determine if something is living or not? All living things have the same

properties^7. These are the properties of living things:

• All living things are made of cells^8.
• All living things use energy (food and water) to grow, move, and process information.
• All living things can maintain stable internal conditions (for example, your body maintains a temperature of about 98.6o^ F. no matter how cold or warm the weather is.)
• All living things can reproduce (produce young).
• All living things pass on traits to their young.
• All living things can adapt to their environment.

To be classified as living (or once living), what you are classifying must meet all six of the above conditions.

Rules of Classification

All games have rules. Classification is no different.

When you classify something, you don’t just jump

in and put things together however you want. There are some rules you need to follow.

First, you must know what is being classified. If you don’t know what you’re classifying, you can’t classify it! Next, make as many observations as you can about

(^5) symmetrical – balanced; both sides equal to each other. (^6) asymmetrical – unbalanced; neither side equal to each other. (^7) properties – trait, quality, or feature. (^8) cell – the smallest unit of life that can function on its own.

2 A. It is brown (copper). It is a penny 2 B. It is silver. Go to 3

3 A. It has a smooth edge. It is a nickel. 3 B. It has ridges around the edge. Go to 4

4 A. It has a torch on the back. It is a dime 4 B. It has an eagle on its back. It is a quarter

5 A. It has the number 1 in the corners. It is a $1 bill 5 B. It has the number 2 in the corners. It is a $2 bill

If the answer to question #1A is yes, you go to question #2. If it is no, you go to question #5. At question #2, if the answer to #2A is yes, you know you have a penny. If it is no, you go to question #3. And so on until you identify all your money.

The classification key helps make the process of identifying and classifying things much easier.

Conclusion

During this unit, you have learned the basics of classification. You have learned why we classify. You have reviewed a brief history of classification. You have seen how things are classified as well as rules that help you classify. Finally, you have learned how to use characteristics to identify things using a classification key.

Remember, like other areas of science, classification systems may change as science develops new knowledge. The way things are classified will change in the future. With the basics you have learned, you will understand why and how the changes are made.

ALLEN'S Law – When all else fails, read the directions.

I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the

important thing.

-Unknown Student

When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe, you expire.

-Unknown Student

Biological Classification Worksheet

Five-Kingdom System

Animal Kingdom – Invertebrates (without backbones) and vertebrates (with backbones), multicellular, no cell walls, obtain energy through respiration Plant Kingdom – multicellular, have cell walls, obtain energy through photosynthesis. Ex. mosses, ferns, flowering and seed plants Fungi Kingdom – cells with cell walls but not green and do not carry out photosynthesis, break down other organic materials to obtain food. Ex. mushrooms, molds, and yeasts Protist Kingdom – come in a wide variety of forms, some are animal-like, such as amoeba, paramecium and protozoan. Some are plant-like such as algae and others are fungi-like. Many are single-celled and others are multicellular. Monera Kingdom – some photosynthesize while others respire. The nucleus of Moneran cells are not bounded by nuclear membranes like cells in the other kingdoms. Ex. bacteria and blue-green algae.

The classification of humans – Homo sapiens

The two part naming system is calledBinomial nomenclature (consists of genus and

species.).

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primata Family: Hominadae Genus: Homo Species: sapiens (note: species is not capitalized.

Using the information above, answer the following questions.

1. What is the next smallest classification group after Order? ______________
2. What is the smallest classification group? ______________
3. Every living organism has what classification groups as its name? _________ and

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_____________________ ______________________

_____________________ ______________________

3. Steak, football, sausage, chair, table, bacon, sofa, baseball bat, cleats, ham, bookcase

Title _________________ Title__________________ Title_________________

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Part B Study the following list of living things:

Mare, trout, parrot, quarterhorse, woodpecker, spaniel, goldfish, Great Dane, eagle, bass, beagle, hawk, stallion, Dalmatian, shark

1. Classify them into two groups (give each group a name).

Group 1 ____________________ Group 2 ___________________

2. Using the same list of living things show how they could be classified into three groups.

Group 1 _____________ Group 2 ______________ Group 3 _____________

3. Using the same list, show how they could be classified into four groups.

Group 1 ______________ Group 2 ______________ Group 3 ______________ Group 4 ______________

Touch a scientist and you touch a child.

• Ray Bradbury

Yes, But is it Alive?

Scientists divide or classify things into three major groups. These groups are: living, nonliving, and once living. Living things are objects that can pass on genetic information through reproduction. The term once-living is a term that refers to things that were at one point part of a living thing.

See how well you understand this. Your goal will be to identify correctly the correct group for each of the following photographs.

Object Living (includes once living) or Non-Living