Classifying Living Things

Super Value Kit

Materials Included In Kit

Organism cards, set of 60, 5

Safety Precautions

Although materials in this activity are considered nonhazardous, please follow all normal laboratory safety procedures. Remind students to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the laboratory.

Teacher Tips

Enough materials are given for a class of 30 students working in pairs or 15 students working individually. All materials are reusable.
Depending on the level of your students, you may want to share with them that the primary focus of taxonomy today, called Phylogeny or Phylogenetics, is to try to more accurately reflect every organism’s evolutionary heritage and link all organisms within specific groups to a common ancestor. Doing so, however, creates a few problems when using the names from the Linnaean system of classification. For example, if all organisms currently referred to as Reptiles (Reptilia), are reptiles because of certain distinguishing characteristics, should birds continue to be classified separately, as they are now, in the class Aves? If so, what did the common ancestor of all birds look like? How does one explain reptilian characteristics in birds, such as scales on the legs? Fossil evidence seems to indicate that birds have reptilian characteristics because reptiles and birds share a common ancestry. Therefore, as a class name, Reptilia is only valid as an indicator of evolutionary relationships between reptiles if birds are included. Otherwise, a new name and perhaps more defined characteristics that effectively exclude birds must be used.
Help students to understand that just because birds are endothermic and have a four-chambered heart, and reptiles are ectothermic and have a three-chambered heart, it should not be assumed that birds are “more anatomically advanced.” Explain that they gradually evolved over time from a common ancestor and that evolution should not be viewed as a “ladder of progression,” with organisms changing over time from “lower” to “higher” forms of life.
Additional copies of the Organism Data Tables may be made if additional organisms are going to be classified by each student group.
Taxonomy is in dynamic flux as more DNA and RNA sequencing is completed. Many taxonomists are moving away from the three domain/six kingdom system to a 3 domain/60–80 kingdom system. We decided to retain the simpler classification scheme for the academic level of the classrooms that typically use this kit.

Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)^†

Science & Engineering Practices

Developing and using models
Constructing explanations and designing solutions

Disciplinary Core Ideas

MS-LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
HS-LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns
Systems and system models

Performance Expectations

MS-LS2-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-LS2-2: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.

Answers to Questions

List two similarities and two differences between the creatures found in Domain Archaea and Domain Bacteria?
Answers may include similarities like: single cells, no nuclei, asexual reproduction; differences may include: Archaea thrive in environments that are extremely salty, acidic, hot, anaerobic, etc. Bacteria may make their own food or acquire it from other things (decomposers); live as single cells, chains or clumps or as colonies of cells.
Which Kingdom(s) include creatures that are all multicellular—meaning composed of more than one cell? Write the names of specific examples.
Answers should include the Kingdoms Animalia and Plantae. Examples could include moose and corn.
Which Domains include creatures that are all unicellular—meaning composed of only one cell? Write the names of specific examples.
Answers should include the Domains Archaea and Bacteria. (Although the Domain Bacteria includes the cyanobacteria that can grow in large, visible mats over a pond’s surface, blue-green algae are still considered unicellular, even if the cells exist normally in colonial form.) Examples include Bacillus subtillis and Thermus aquaticus.
Which Kingdom(s) include creatures that may be multicellular and unicellular and may be microscopic or visible? Write the names of specific examples of visible multicellular organisms and unicellular microscopic organisms.
Answer should be Kingdom Protista. An example of a visible multicellular organism could be slime mold; an example of a unicellular, microscopic organism could be a paramecium.
All living creatures get energy either as heterotrophs (they feed on others) or as autotrophs meaning “self-feeders” (they make their own food). Which Kingdom(s) of creatures contain only heterotrophs? Write the names of specific examples.
Answers should be the Kingdoms Animalia and Fungi. Examples could include: spiders and mushrooms.
Which Kingdom(s) contain only autotrophs? Write the names of specific examples.
Answers should include the Kingdom Plantae. Examples could include African violet and blue spruce.
Which Kingdom(s) contain creatures that can get energy by either method? Write the names of specific examples.
Answers should include the Kingdom Protista. Euglenais the best example.
Based on the method of getting energy, which Kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered decomposers and assist in recycling nutrients within a given community of organisms?
Answers should include the Kingdom Fungi.
Based on the method of getting energy, which Kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered producers and be the base of any food web or chain within a given community of organisms?
Answers should include the Kingdom Plantae.
Based on the method of getting energy, which Kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered consumers within a given community of organisms?
Answer should be the Kingdom Animalia. In addition, many creatures, like amoeba, within the Kingdom Protista are consumers.

Domain Archaea

Domain Summary
Unicellular or colonial organisms without a nucleus, membrane bound organelles, cilia, or eukaryotic flagella Autotrophs, absorptive-heterotrophic, mutualistic, commensalistic or decomposers Tolerate harsh environments such as volcanic vents, extreme salty soil or water, and acidic environments Some metabolic pathways similar to Eukarya Asexual reproduction via binary fission, fragmentation, or budding Do not form spores Cell walls do not contain peptidoglycan, chitin, or cellulose Unique composition of cell membrane Gram negative
Card Number	Organism Name	Phylum Name and Features	Group Name and Features
34	Methanococcus voltae	Euryarchaeota Extremely Halophilic, Methanogenic, Acidophilic, Thermophilic	Methanococci Sphere-shaped Produce methane
56	Halobacterium salinarum	Euryarchaeota Extremely Halophilic, Methanogenic, Acidophilic, Thermophilic	Halobacteria Rod-shaped Reddish hue Does not produce methane
54	Sulfolobus acidocaldarius	Crenarchaeota Hyperthermophilic, Cryophiles Most lack histones	Thermoprotei Oxidize sulfur; Acidic hot areas with sulfur present

Domain Bacteria

Domain Summary
Unicellular or colonial organisms without a nucleus, membrane bound organelles, cilia, or eukaryotic flagella Photoautotrophs, chemoautotrophs, absorptive-heterotrophs, mutualists, commensalists or decomposers. Genes contained within plasmids Asexual reproduction via binary fission, fragmentation, or budding Do not form spores Cell walls are present although some have a cell membrane (envelope) surrounding the cell wall Cell walls contain peptidoglycan
Card Number	Organism Name	Phylum Name and Features
2	Oscillatoria chalybea	Cyanobacteria Aquatic – freshwater	Photoautotroph Filamentous blue-green colonies
4	Anabaena aequalis	Cyanobacteria Aquatic – freshwater and marine Photoautotroph	Filamentous threads Symbiotic or free-living Produce neurotoxins
6	Escherichia coli	Proteobacteria Gram negative rods Strains can be mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic, or free-living Outer membrane mostly composed of lipoglycans

Domain Eukarya

Domain Summary

Unicellular, multicellular, or colonial organisms with nucleus and membrane bound organelles

Autotrophic or heterotrophic

Genes contained within chromosomes

Asexual or sexual reproduction

Able to form spores

Some with cell walls, some without

Kingdom Protista

Kingdom Summary
Unicellular or multicellular without specialized tissues or unicellular colonies No complex development from embryos or seeds Asexual reproduction via binary fission; a few species capable of sexual reproduction
Card Number	Organism Name	Subkingdom Name and Features	Phylum Name and Features
3	Amoeba	Protozoa Unicellular Heterotroph No cell wall Able to move via pseudopods, eukaryote flagella, or cilia Can survive for long periods as dormant cysts	Amoebozoa Move via pseudopods No definite shape Ingestive heterotroph – phagocytosis May be commensalistic, parasitic or free-living
12	Brown algae	Algae Multicellular, unicellular or colonial Cell wall Photoautotroph with photosynthesis within chloroplasts	Phaeophyta Multicellular with holdfasts, stipe, and blades Alternation of generations Cellulose and alginate cell wall Phaeophyta
19	Diatoms	Algae Multicellular, unicellular or colonial Cell wall Photoautotroph with photosynthesis within chloroplasts	Chrysophyta Unicellular or colonies Silica cell wall Cell wall forms in two halves that fit together Either radial or bilateral symmetry Golden in color
21	Euglena	Protozoa Unicellular Heterotroph No cell wall Able to move via pseudopods, eukaryote flagella, or cilia Can survive for long periods as dormant cysts	Euglenozoans Move via eukaryote flagella Also photoautotroph with photosynthesis within chloroplasts Have eyespot
37	Paramecium	Protozoa Unicellular Heterotroph No cell wall Able to move via pseudopods, eukaryote flagella, or cilia Can survive for long periods as dormant cysts	Ciliate Move via cilia Ovoid, slipper-shaped organism Capture food using trichocysts
49	Plasmodial Slime Mold	Myxomycota Chitin cell wall Absorptive heterotroph – decomposer	Slime Mold Move via pseudopods Haploid single cells or as merged super-cells with thousands of diploid nuclei Yellow irregular shaped patch of "slime"
58	Volvox	Algae Multicellular, unicellular or colonial Cell wall Photoautotroph with photosynthesis within chloroplasts	Chlorophyta Green in color Cellulose cell wall

Kingdom Fungi

Kingdom Summary
Unicellular or multicellular without specialized tissues or unicellular colonies Absorptive heterotrophs – decomposer or symbiotic Chitin cell wall Able to form spores when environmental conditions deteriorate Alternation of generations with most of life in haploid state Asexual and (most) sexual reproduction Asexual spores produced in sporangia
Card Number	Organism Name	Phylum Name and Features
33	Common Mold	Zygomycota No septa separating individual cells within each hyphae Terrestrial Sexual spores produced in zygosporangia Parasitic or free living Mat of dark brown, black, or green thread-like hyphae called a mycelium Most of life cycle in haploid state
39	Yellow Morel	Ascomycota Septa separate individual cells within each hyphae Sexual spores produced in sac-like asci Mushroom-shaped body is composed of numerous fused ascocarp resulting in a honeycomb-like texture
40	Button Mushroom	Basidiomycota Septa separate individual cells within each hyphae Sexual spores produced in club shaped basidium on gills on the underside of the cap Mushroom-shaped body composed of numerous filamentous hyphae Pale gray-brown cap with numerous flat scales Numerous dark brown gills on the underside of the cap

Kingdom Plantae

Kingdom Summary
Multicellular Have specialized tissues; may have organs or organ systems Photoautotroph in chloroplasts Cellulose cell wall, large central vacuole, and plasmodesmata Alternation of generations Asexual and sexual reproduction
Card Number	Organism Name	Subkingdom Name and Features	Phylum Name and Features
25	Haircap moss	Non-vascular plant No vascular tissue or wood for support	Bryophyta No cones, no seeds, no flowers Mat of green, thread-like filaments Alternation of generations with most of life in haploid state
22	Fern	Ferns Vascular tissue present but not in bundles	Pterophyta No cones, no seeds, no flowers Green, soft leaves with drooping long, thin leaflets emanating from center "stem" True leaves present
16	Cycas circinalis	Gymnosperm Reproduction via naked seeds Vascular tissue present	Cycadophyta Reproduction via naked seeds enclosed in cones Separate sexes Motile pollen Evergreen tree Appearance of leaves similar to the unrelated palm trees (pinnate compound leaves)
24	Ginkgo Tree	Gymnosperm Reproduction via naked seeds Vascular tissue present	Ginkgophyta Reproduction via naked seeds enclosed in a fleshy outer coat Separate sexes Motile pollen Deciduous tree Fan-shaped, bi-lobed leaves Vascular tissues continuously divide in two Deep roots
57	Blue Spruce	Gymnosperm Reproduction via naked seeds Vascular tissue present	Pinophyta Only tracheids and sieve cells present in vascular tissue Coniferous evergreen tree Thin scaly bark on trunk Green or bluish needle-like leaves Reproduction via naked seeds enclosed in cones Produce both pollen cones and seed cones Pollen not motile Evergreen tree
15	Zea mays	Anthophyta Reproduction via enclosed seeds Flowers present Vascular bundles present	Monocot Male and female occur as separate parts on one plant Embryo with single cotyledon Flower parts in multiples of three Leaf veins are parallel to each other Stem vascular bundles scattered Fibrous roots with vascular bundles in a ring
1	African Violet	Anthophyta Reproduction via enclosed seeds Flowers present Vascular bundles present	Dicot Embryo with two cotyledons Flower parts in multiples of four or five Leaf veins form interlocking net Stem vascular bundles in a ring Deep roots with central vascular bundle
8	Barrel Cactus	Anthophyta Reproduction via enclosed seeds Flowers present Vascular bundles present	Dicot Embryo with two cotyledons Flower parts in multiples of four or five Leaf veins form interlocking net Stem vascular bundles in a ring Deep roots with central vascular bundle
31	White Oak	Anthophyta Reproduction via enclosed seeds Flowers present Vascular bundles present	Dicot Embryo with two cotyledons Flower parts in multiples of four or five Leaf veins form interlocking net Stem vascular bundles in a ring Deep roots with central vascular bundle

Kingdom Animalia

Kingdom Summary
Multicellular Have specialized cells; most have tissues, organs or organ systems Most are ingestive heterotrophs No cells walls or chloroplasts May have asexual and sexual reproduction or only sexual reproduction Most have flagellated sperm Embryos pass through blastula stage
Card Number	Organism Name	Phylum and Subphylum Name and Features	Class Name and Features
52	Calcite Sponge	Porifera Specialized cells Cells can transform into other types of specialized cells Amorphous symmetry Aquatic Filter feeders Sessile Asexual and sexual reproduction	Calcarea Spicules made out of calcium carbonate
5	Sea Anemone	Cnidarian Simple organ systems present Radial symmetry Aquatic Asexual and sexual reproduction Some separate sexes, some hermaphrodites Have specialized cells that fire venomous whip-like structures called cnidocysts	Anthozoa No medusa stage Larva are sessile Adults are sessile
60	Hydra	Cnidarian Simple organ systems present Radial symmetry Aquatic Asexual and sexual reproduction Some separate sexes, some hermaphrodites Have specialized cells that fire venom containing whip-like structures called cnidocysts	Hydrozoa Asexual polyp stage Sexual medusa stage (absent in freshwater species) Polyp attaches to substrate via basal disc
11	Brittle Star	Cnidarian Organ systems present Radial symmetry Aquatic Asexual via fragmentation; Sexual via external fertilization of gametes; Separate sexes Single oral opening Water vascular system present Able to regenerate	Ophiuroidea 5 thin arms emanating from a central disk
53	Sea Star	Echinodermata Organ systems present Radial symmetry Aquatic Asexual via fragmentation; Sexual via external fertilization of gametes; Separate sexes Single oral opening Water vascular system present Able to regenerate	Asteroidea 5 or more thick arms emanating from a central disk Bumps and spines on the surface opposite the oral opening
46	Sea Urchin	Echinodermata Organ systems present Radial symmetry Aquatic Asexual via fragmentation; Sexual via external fertilization of gametes; Separate sexes Single oral opening Water vascular system present Able to regenerate	Echinoidea Spiny, globular body Move using tube feet
26	Horseshoe Crab	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Chelicerata Class Xiphorsura 2 part body plus a tail (telson) 4 pairs of walking legs Respiration via gill books Can regenerate
45	Scorpion	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Chelicerata Class Arachnida 2 part body 4 pairs of walking appendages Respiration via book lungs Venomous
51	Spider	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Chelicerata Class Arachnida 2 part body 4 pairs of walking appendages Respiration via book lungs Produce silk
35	Millipede	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Unirama Class Diplopoda 3 part body with 11 or more segments Round body shape Breathe through spiracle holes in exoskeleton 1 pair of antenna 2 pairs of walking legs per segment
18	Centipede	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Unirama Class Chilopoda 3 part body with 15 or more segments Breathe through spiracle holes in exoskeleton Flattened-round body shape 1 pair of antenna 1 pair of walking legs per segment 3 part body with 15 or more segments
13	Monarch Butterfly	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Unirama Class Insecta 3 part body 3 pairs of jointed legs Breathe through spiracle holes in exoskeleton 1 pair of antenna Wings
59	Grasshopper	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Unirama Class Insecta 3 part body 3 pairs of jointed legs Breathe through spiracle holes in exoskeleton 1 pair of antenna
17	Daphnia	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Crustacea Class Branchiopoda 3 part segmented body 2 pair of antenna 5 pairs of jointed legs Respiration via gills attached to legs
27	Isopod	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Crustacea Class Malacostraca 3 part segmented body Rounded body shape 2 pairs of antenna 7 pairs of jointed legs Respiration via gills attached to legs
32	Lobster	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Crustacea Class Malacostraca 3 part segmented body Rounded body shape 2 pairs of antenna 10 pairs of jointed legs Respiration via gills attached to legs
14	Copepod	Arthropoda Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Exoskeleton Separate mouth and anus Jointed appendages No jaws	Subphylum Crustacea Class Copepoda 3 part segmented body with a bowling pin shape 2 pair of antenna—one long pair and one short pair
20	Earthworm	Annelida Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry No skeleton Round body with many repeating segments Separate mouth and anus Able to regenerate posterior segments	Oligochaeta Prostonium on first segment 4 setae (hairs) on each segment 5 aortic arches function as heart No brain
42	Planaria	Platyhelminthes Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Flattened body with no body cavity No respiratory or circulatory systems	Tubellaria Not parasitic Two eyespots Able to regenerate Body not segmented
55	Tapeworm	Platyhelminthes Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Flattened body with no body cavity No respiratory or circulatory systems	Cestoda Internal parasites Scolex to attach to host Most of body is composed of numerous repeating proglottids that have both male and female reproductive organs
50	Snail	Mollusca Organ systems present Body with head, foot, and visceral mass Mantle present Body cavity present	Gastropoda Distinct head region Simple eyes Eat using radula Most have single external shell Body undergoes torsion Olfactory organs located on head tentacles
44	Scallop	Mollusca Organ systems present Body with head, foot, and visceral mass Mantle present Body cavity present	Bivalvia 2 part hinged external shell Filter feeder Head and foot present in larva only
36	Squid	Mollusca Organ systems present Body with head, foot, and visceral mass Mantle present Body cavity present	Cephalopoda Tentacles with suckers Complex eyes and brain Skin that is able to change color Most have no external shell Many have flexible internal shell (pen) Muscular body
29	Lancelet	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Cephalochordata Class Leptocardia Simple brain Poorly developed sense organs Cartilage skeleton No scales or paired fins Respiration via gills Poikilotherm
28	Lamprey	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Agnatha Vertebra and skull made of cartilage No paired fins No jaws Complex brain 2 chambered heart Smooth skin without scales Respiration via gills Poikilotherm
48	Shark	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Chondrichthyes Vertebra and skull made of cartilage Paired fins and nares 2 chambered heart Complex brain Skin with placoid scales Respiration via gills Poikilotherm
30	Largemouth Bass	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Osteichthyes Vertebra and skull made of bone Paired fins and nares 2 chambered heart Complex brain Skin with scales Respiration via gills Poikilotherm
47	Sea Horse	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Osteichthyes Vertebra and skull made of bone Paired fins and nares 2 chambered heart Complex brain Skin with scales Respiration via gills Poikilotherm
23	Leopard Frog	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Amphibia Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 3 chambered heart Smooth skin without scales Respiration via lungs Poikilotherm Juveniles undergo metamorphosis from aquatic form to terrestrial form
43	Python	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Aves Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 3 chambered heart Skin with scales Respiration via lungs Lay soft shelled eggs Poikilotherm
7	Bald Eagle	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Aves Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 4 chambered heart Respiration via lungs Beak with no teeth Feathers Wings Lay hard shelled eggs Homeothermic
41	Ring-necked Pheasant	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Aves Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 4 chambered heart Respiration via lungs Beak with no teeth Feathers Wings Lay hard shelled eggs Homeothermic
9	Indiana Bat	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Mammalia Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 4 chambered heart Skin with hair Respiration via lungs Mammary glands Homeothermic
10	Grizzly Bear	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Mammalia Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 4 chambered heart Skin with hair Respiration via lungs Mammary glands Homeothermic
38	Moose	Chordata Organ systems present Bilateral symmetry Separate mouth and anus Head, trunk, and tail regions Dorsal nerve cord surrounded by notochord Pharyngeal slits Post-anal tail	Subphylum Vertebrata Class Mammalia Vertebra and skull made of bone Complex brain 4 chambered heart Skin with hair Respiration via lungs Mammary glands Homeothermic

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FB1789	Classifying Living Things—Super Value Kit

Student Pages
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Student Pages Classifying Living Things Introduction Imagine being hired by a large grocery store to come in after closing and put everything that had been delivered by truck during the day on the shelves. How easy would it be to accomplish that task if no signs were over the aisles identifying which items were in each aisle? Imagine discovering an organism that has never been seen before by scientists! How easy would it be to give it a name and put it in its proper “place,” if the visible characteristics of other organisms were not available as a comparison to help identify this new organism? Concepts Classification Scientific names Binomial nomenclature Background How does one keep track of and name the millions of different species found on the Earth today? As far back as Aristotle (384–322 bc) 2000 years ago, people have attempted to organize living organisms into separate and distinct categories using visible characteristics, most notably the structure of the organism’s body. However, no uniform system of classification existed until a Swedish naturalist named Carolus Linneaus (1707–1778) devised a simple system based on the form and structure of organisms. The Linnaean system involves giving every organism two “scientific names”—a genus and a species name—with both names being Latin. This practice is known as binomial nomenclature, which means two names. When written, the first letter of the genus name is always capitalized and the entire species name is always written in lowercase. When seen in written form, both names are either underlined or written in italics. Using the system created by Linneaus, all organisms are placed into one of several broad, and general categories. As detailed characteristics of each organism are identified, the categories become more narrowly defined and exclusive until the specific organism’s genus and species name is determined. There are eight major taxonomic groups in use today: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species. This is an active system in which organisms can be moved to a better-fitting subgroup based on new research. Due to new information gathered from techniques and procedures not known or available 30 years ago, many taxonomists have now identified three domains into which all currently discovered organisms may be placed. These domains include: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. Experiment Overview Using dichotomous keys, written information and prior knowledge, students will place creatures into the correct Kingdoms and Phylums using the identifiable characteristics of cell type, body organization, method of reproduction and process of obtaining energy. In addition, the Class names of a number of creatures will be revealed using more detailed characteristics. Materials Key to the Domains of Life Keys to the Kingdoms Organism cards, 10 Organism Data Tables Safety Precautions Although materials in this activity are considered nonhazardous, please follow all normal classroom safety procedures. Procedure Obtain 10 organism cards from the instructor. Begin with one of the 10 organism cards. Use the Key to the Domains of Life to determine the correct domain for the organism. Record the description for that domain on the appropriate Organism Data Table. After the first organism’s domain is identified, use the appropriate Key to the Kingdom to find the Kingdom, phylum and class (as needed). Example: If the first organism card is an earthworm, use the Key to the Kindom Animalia and work through the dichotomous key to find the earthworm’s phylum (and class, if so directed). Record the information on the appropriate Organism Data Table. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the other given 9 organism cards. Note: There are locations on each Organism Data Table for several organisms. The Domain and Kingdom Summary only needs to be filled out once. If time allows, when all the forms have been completed for the first 10 organism cards, request another set of cards from the instructor and follow steps 2–4 with the new set of cards. Return all cards to the instructor and answer the Post-Lab Questions. Post-Lab Questions Apply the knowledge and information just learned and written down to answer the following questions. Write all answers on a separate sheet of paper. List two similarities and two differences between the creatures found in Domain Archaea and Domain Bacteria. Which kingdom(s) include creatures that are all multicellular—meaning composed of more than one cell? Write the names of specific examples. Which kingdom(s) include creatures that are all unicellular—meaning composed of only one cell? Write the names of specific examples. Which domains include creatures that may be multicellular and unicellular and may be microscopic or visible? Write the names of specific examples of visible multicellular organisms and unicellular microscopic organisms. All living creatures get energy either as heterotrophs (they feed on others) or as autotrophs (they make their own food). Which kingdom(s) of creatures contain only heterotrophs? Write the names of specific examples. Which kingdom(s) contain only autotrophs? Write the names of specific examples. Which kingdom(s) contain creatures that can get energy by either method? Write the names of specific examples. Based on the method of getting energy, which kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered decomposers and assist in recycling nutrients within a given community of organisms? Based on the method of getting energy, which kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered producers and be the base of any food web or chain within a given community of organisms? Based on the method of getting energy, which kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered consumers within a given community of organisms? Student Worksheet PDF 10745_Student.pdf

Student Pages

Classifying Living Things

Introduction

Imagine being hired by a large grocery store to come in after closing and put everything that had been delivered by truck during the day on the shelves. How easy would it be to accomplish that task if no signs were over the aisles identifying which items were in each aisle? Imagine discovering an organism that has never been seen before by scientists! How easy would it be to give it a name and put it in its proper “place,” if the visible characteristics of other organisms were not available as a comparison to help identify this new organism?

Concepts

Classification
Scientific names
Binomial nomenclature

Background

How does one keep track of and name the millions of different species found on the Earth today? As far back as Aristotle (384–322 bc) 2000 years ago, people have attempted to organize living organisms into separate and distinct categories using visible characteristics, most notably the structure of the organism’s body.

However, no uniform system of classification existed until a Swedish naturalist named Carolus Linneaus (1707–1778) devised a simple system based on the form and structure of organisms. The Linnaean system involves giving every organism two “scientific names”—a genus and a species name—with both names being Latin. This practice is known as binomial nomenclature, which means two names. When written, the first letter of the genus name is always capitalized and the entire species name is always written in lowercase. When seen in written form, both names are either underlined or written in italics. Using the system created by Linneaus, all organisms are placed into one of several broad, and general categories. As detailed characteristics of each organism are identified, the categories become more narrowly defined and exclusive until the specific organism’s genus and species name is determined.

There are eight major taxonomic groups in use today: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species. This is an active system in which organisms can be moved to a better-fitting subgroup based on new research. Due to new information gathered from techniques and procedures not known or available 30 years ago, many taxonomists have now identified three domains into which all currently discovered organisms may be placed. These domains include: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya.

Experiment Overview

Using dichotomous keys, written information and prior knowledge, students will place creatures into the correct Kingdoms and Phylums using the identifiable characteristics of cell type, body organization, method of reproduction and process of obtaining energy. In addition, the Class names of a number of creatures will be revealed using more detailed characteristics.

Materials

Key to the Domains of Life
Keys to the Kingdoms
Organism cards, 10
Organism Data Tables

Safety Precautions

Although materials in this activity are considered nonhazardous, please follow all normal classroom safety procedures.

Procedure

Obtain 10 organism cards from the instructor.
Begin with one of the 10 organism cards. Use the Key to the Domains of Life to determine the correct domain for the organism. Record the description for that domain on the appropriate Organism Data Table.
After the first organism’s domain is identified, use the appropriate Key to the Kingdom to find the Kingdom, phylum and class (as needed). Example: If the first organism card is an earthworm, use the Key to the Kindom Animalia and work through the dichotomous key to find the earthworm’s phylum (and class, if so directed). Record the information on the appropriate Organism Data Table.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the other given 9 organism cards. Note: There are locations on each Organism Data Table for several organisms. The Domain and Kingdom Summary only needs to be filled out once.
If time allows, when all the forms have been completed for the first 10 organism cards, request another set of cards from the instructor and follow steps 2–4 with the new set of cards.
Return all cards to the instructor and answer the Post-Lab Questions.

Post-Lab Questions

Apply the knowledge and information just learned and written down to answer the following questions. Write all answers on a separate sheet of paper.

List two similarities and two differences between the creatures found in Domain Archaea and Domain Bacteria.
Which kingdom(s) include creatures that are all multicellular—meaning composed of more than one cell? Write the names of specific examples.
Which kingdom(s) include creatures that are all unicellular—meaning composed of only one cell? Write the names of specific examples.
Which domains include creatures that may be multicellular and unicellular and may be microscopic or visible? Write the names of specific examples of visible multicellular organisms and unicellular microscopic organisms.
All living creatures get energy either as heterotrophs (they feed on others) or as autotrophs (they make their own food). Which kingdom(s) of creatures contain only heterotrophs? Write the names of specific examples.
Which kingdom(s) contain only autotrophs? Write the names of specific examples.
Which kingdom(s) contain creatures that can get energy by either method? Write the names of specific examples.
Based on the method of getting energy, which kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered decomposers and assist in recycling nutrients within a given community of organisms?
Based on the method of getting energy, which kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered producers and be the base of any food web or chain within a given community of organisms?
Based on the method of getting energy, which kingdom(s) of creatures would be considered consumers within a given community of organisms?

Student Worksheet PDF

10745_Student.pdf

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Teacher Notes

Classifying Living Things

Super Value Kit

Materials Included In Kit

Safety Precautions

Teacher Tips

Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)†

Science & Engineering Practices

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts

Performance Expectations

Answers to Questions

Domain Archaea

Domain Bacteria

Domain Eukarya

Kingdom Protista

Kingdom Fungi

Kingdom Plantae

Kingdom Animalia

Recommended Products

Student Pages

Classifying Living Things

Introduction

Concepts

Background

Experiment Overview

Materials

Safety Precautions

Procedure

Student Worksheet PDF

Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)^†