Classification - biology

By Bethen Abraham

Binomial System

• There are loads of species in our world. Some have very similar characteristics, which allow us to put them into a group.

• This is called classification.

Kingdoms

• The first big division of living things, is to put them into one of the 5 kingdoms. This is based on what an organisms cells are like.

• The kingdoms are:• Animals (all multicellular animals).• Plants (All green plants)• Fungi (moulds, mushrooms, yeast)• Prokaryotes (bacteria, blue-green algae)• Protoctists (amoeba, chlorella, plasmodium).

Further divisions

• KINGDOM• PHYLUM• CLASS• ORDER• FAMILY• GENUS• SPECIES.• This order is very important so to help you

remember them, try and make up an acronym.

Acronym

• My acronym is:• Kids• Prefer• Chips• Over• Fancy• Green• Salad.• Comment your acronym, so other people can see yours

and it may help them too!

Kingdom

Animals Plants Fungi Prokaryotes Protoctists

Binominal System

• The binominal system of naming species uses Latin words. Each name has two parts, the genus and the species. For example, human beings belong to the genus Homo, and our species is sapiens - so the scientific name is Homo sapiens.

• The binomial system is important because it allows scientists to accurately identify individual species. For example, the European robin is Erithacus rubecula. It is much smaller than the American robin, Turdus migratorius, which belongs to a different genus.

Vertebrates

• All vertebrates belong to the Phylum Chordate.

• A vertebrate is anything with a back bone• An invertebrate is anything without a

backbone.

Kingdom

Animals Plants Fungi Prokaryotes Protoctists

Chordate (all vertebrates)

Mammals fish amphibian, reptiles, birds

Primates

hominides

Homo

Sapiens

Chordate

• Other vertebrates are POIKILOTHERMS, which mean that their body temperature varies with the temperature of their surroundings.

• HOMEOTHERMS means that they keep their body temperature more constant, and often warmer, than their surroundings by releasing heat from reactions in their body.

• OVIPAROUS lag eggs• VIVIPAROUS give birth to live young.

How to work their class.

Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals

Backbone yes yes yes yes yes

Scales yes no yes no no

Lungs no yes yes yes yes

Feathers no no no yes no

Hair no no no no yes

Oviparous yes yes yes yes no

Viviparous no no no no yes

Homeotherms

No no no yes yes

Useful definitions

• Species – a group of organisms that can interbreed (reproduce with another to produce offspring) that are fertile (able to reproduce).

• Hybrid – neither one species nor another and show charactoristics of both parents. Usually infertile but not always, so are unlikely to reproduce and pass on the mixed characteristics. EXAMPLE – mule (Donkey/Horse)

EXAMPLE – Liger (Lion/Tiger).Normally male name first eg male lion and female tiger.

Useful definitions• Ring Species – Neighbouring populations of the same species may

have slightly different characteristics but still interbreed. Sometimes is a chain of different populations that can all breed with their neighbouring populations but the two populations at either end of the chain, cannot interbreed. The chain often forms a ring shape and so these organisms are called ring species.

• .

Interbreed

Interbreed

Interbreed

Interbreed

Interbreed

Interbreed

Interbreed

Cannot interbreed

endstart

Viruses are not categorised under any of the 5 kingdoms. Why?

• Viruses are not classified under any of the 5 kingdoms, because they cannot live outside a host’s cell and depend on that cell. This means they are debatably not classed as living. Kingdoms are only for LIVING organisms.

Test

• Fill in the blanks:• Vertebrates are members of the phylum ________ and most

have a ______ _______.• Vertebrates can use their ____, _____ or _____ to breathe.• Bacteria are classified into the kingdom _____.• Vertebrates that lay eggs are known as ____.• Vertebrates that give birth to live young are known as ____.• Tigers are classified as vertebrates. The binomial name for the

tiger is Panthera tigris. The word Panthera in the Tiger’s binomial name refers to its (class or genus)____.

• The phylum ___ includes mammals.

Answers

• Vertebrates are members of the phylum Chordata/Chordate and most have a back bone

• Vertebrates can use their gills, lungs or skin to breathe.• Bacteria are classified into the kingdom Prokaryota.• Vertebrates that lay eggs are known as Oviparous.• Vertebrates that give birth to live young are known as

Viviparous.• Tigers are classified as vertebrates. The binomial name for

the tiger is Panthera tigris. The word Panthera in the Tiger’s binomial name refers to its (class or genus)Genus.

• The phylum Chordata/Chordate includes mammals.

Thanks for watching!

• Please leave any comments/questions that you may have, below. I will get back to you ASAP if needed. If you are still struggling then I advise that you have a go at some exam style questions, from the internet or even ask your teacher.