Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Use a simple classification key to identify an
Instructions for Students
unknown organism.
1) Make sure you view this presentation in slideshow mode.
2) If you need help, please communicate with your teacher.
Essential Learning
3) You can also find tutorial videos about this on YouTube.
Students will identify unknown organisms using
classification keys.
Essential Question
How do I interpret and use the information in a
classification key to identify an unknown organism?
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
Classification and Classification Keys
 Before we examine classification keys, it is helpful to first
study some general classification concepts.
Starting with…
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of defining, naming, and
classifying organisms.
 Organisms are classified according to similar physical
and genetic characteristics.
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Modern Taxonomy
8 levels of classification
Categories go from broad to narrow
1) Domain
2) Kingdom
3) Phylum
4) Class
5) Order
6) Family
7) Genus
8) Species
Science
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
8-Level Classification System
 Categories go from broad to narrow
Example: Where is Rock Springs Middle School?
1) The Universe
2) Milky Way Galaxy
3) Planet Earth
4) Northern Hemisphere
5) North America
6) The United States of America
7) Tennessee
8) Smyrna
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Notes
Science
Memory Trick 01
Did
1) Domain
King
2) Kingdom
Phillip
3) Phylum
Come
4) Class
Over
5) Order
6) Family
7) Genus
8) Species
From
Great
Spain?
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Notes
Science
Memory Trick 02
Donkey
1) Domain
Kong
2) Kingdom
Puts
3) Phylum
Children
4) Class
On
5) Order
6) Family
7) Genus
8) Species
Flying
Giant
Squirrels
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
Classification Criteria
 In taxonomy organisms are classified according to
similar physical and genetic characteristics.
Example 01: At the Domain level -organisms are classified
according to whether or not their cell(s) contains a nucleus.
Prokaryotic Cell
(no nucleus)
Eukaryotic Cell
(has a nucleus)
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
Classification Criteria
 In taxonomy organisms are classified according to
similar physical and genetic characteristics.
Example 02: At the Class level -organisms are grouped
according to similar physical characteristics.
Classes of Animals
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
Binomial nomenclature
 Around 1735 Carolus Linnaeus created a two-part
naming system called binomial nomenclature.
Note: In Latin “bi” means two and “nomial” means name
 Uses the last 2 classification levels (Genus and Species)
to name an organism.
Example:
Human Beings
Homo
Genus: _________
Sapiens
Species: __________
Notes
SPI 0807.5.1
Classification Keys
Science
8-Level Classification System
Example: Human Beings (Homo Sapiens)
1) Domain: Eukarya
2) Kingdom: Animalia
3) Phylum: Chordata
Binomial
Nomeclature
4) Class: Mammalia
5) Order: Primates
2 part naming system
6) Family: Hominoidia
7) Genus: Homo
8) Species: Sapiens
1st part
2nd part
Classification Keys
 scientists use these keys to help them identify organisms
Dichototmous Keys
Includes paired descriptive statements to identify organisms
1st Statement
2nd Statement
Classification Keys
 scientists use these keys to help them identify organisms
Classification Tables: -has columns and rows with information
Classification Keys
 scientists use these keys to help them identify organisms
Flow Chart Keys: -design is similar to a concept map,
lines branch off from given traits
Classification Keys
SPI 0807.5.1
Notes use these keys to help them identify organisms
Science
 scientists
Classification Keys
Branch Diagram: -looks similar to a tree branch,
listed traits apply to all those organisms that come after
Review Questions
Classification: General Concepts
1) What is taxonomy? (slide 2)
2) What is binomial nomenclature? (slides 9 & 10)
3) What are the 8 levels of classification? (slides 3, 5, & 6)
4) Which 2 levels are used for scientific names? (slide 9)
5) What is the scientific name for humans? (slides 9 & 10)
Review
What kind of classification key is this?
Dichotomous
Flow Chart
Key
Key
Classification
Branch
Diagram
Table