Classification of Living Things

Objectives: Learn the characteristics of the 6 kingdoms and follow a dichotomous key

Introduction: In this lab, you will classify organisms, first into the proper kingdom, then down to phylum and class (if available). The following major characteristics are used to classify organisms:

-Cell type: There are 2 types of cells, prokaryotic and eukaryotic. (Pro = NO, Eu carry a nucleus)

-Body: Organisms may be unicellular or multicellular.

-Body plan: There are 3 types of body plan in animals: (a) radial symmetry, where body parts are arranged in a circle around a central point, like the spokes of a wheel, (b) bilateral symmetry, where equal left and right sides mirror each other, and (c) no symmetry, random, as in sponges.

-Reproduction: There are 2 types of reproduction: asexual, where an organism makes an identical copy of itself, (including binary fission, spore production, budding) and sexual, where genetic information is exchanged between 2 individuals, making new organisms with unique combinations of genes.

-Obtaining energy: Autotrophs make their own food, obtaining energy either from sunlight (photosynthesis) or chemical compounds (chemosynthesis). Heterotrophs cannot make their own food and must obtain energy from other organisms. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat animals, omnivores eat both plants and animals. Other heterotrophs are parasites or decomposers.

The 6 Kingdoms:

1.  Archaebacteria 2. Eubacteria

  1. Prokaryotic a. Prokaryotic
  2. Cell walls b. Cell walls
  3. Unicellular c. Unicellular cells may form chains or groups
  4. Asexual or sexual reproduction d. Asexual or sexualreproduction
  5. Chemosynthetic autotroph e. Autotroph or Heterotroph
  6. Extreme environments only

(hot or salty water, anerobic conditions)

3.  Protists 4. Fungi

  1. Eukaryotic a. Eukaryotic
  2. No cell walls b. Cell walls made of chitin
  3. Unicellular or multicellular c. Multicellular

(most unicellular) (except yeast)

  1. Asexual or sexual reproduction d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
  2. Autotroph or Heterotroph e. Heterotroph (decomposers)

f. Wet environments (pond water) f. Non-motile (cannot move)

5.  Plants 6. Animals

  1. Eukaryotic a. Eukaryotic
  2. Cell walls made of cellulose b. no cell walls
  3. Multicellular c. Multicellular
  4. Asexual or sexual reproduction d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
  5. Photosynthetic autotroph e. Heterotroph
  6. Non-motile (cannot move) f. Most are motile

Answers: Card #: ___ Scientific name: ______Common name: ______

Kingdom: ______

Phylum: ______

Class: ______***Classify at least 5 cards from each kingdom***

Procedure: Cards describing organisms and dichotomous keys are at each lab station.

1. Work through the Key to the Six Kingdoms to decide which kingdom each

organism belongs to. Use the information found on the back of each card.

2.  Turn to the appropriate key for that kingdom and work through it to determine the phylum and then class, if appropriate.

3.  Record your findings on the appropriate data sheet. There is a separate sheet for

each kingdom.

4.  Answer the questions on the last page.


Kingdom Archaebacteria

Taxonomy Phylum Characteristics

Card No:

Sci. Name:

Phylum:

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Phylum:

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Kingdom Eubacteria

Taxonomy Phylum Characteristics Class Characteristic

Card No:

Sci. Name:

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Phylum:

Class:

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Class:

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Kingdom Protista

Taxonomy Phylum Characteristics

Card No:

Sci. Name:

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Kingdom Fungi

Taxonomy Phylum Characteristics

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Kingdom Plantae

Taxonomy Phylum Characteristics Class Characteristic

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Kingdom Animalia

Taxonomy Phylum Characteristics Class Characteristic

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Questions:

1. Which kingdoms have prokaryotic cells?

______

2. Which kingdoms have eukaryotic cells?

______

3. Which kingdoms have cell walls?

______

4. Which kingdoms cannot move around?

______

5. What do the cell walls in fungi contain? In plants?

______

6. What structures do protists use to move around?

______

7. How do fungi obtain energy?

______

8. Which kingdom has members that cause disease in humans?

______

9. Are there any kingdoms that use only sexual reproduction?

______