1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Unit Objectives
Use physical characteristics to classify objects and organisms.
Explain the problem with using common names in science.
List the seven levels of classification from smallest to largest.
Break down a scientific name into its genus and species.
Use the names of organisms to classify them into groups.
Identify the limitations of taxonomy.
Explain how molecular techniques uncover evolutionary relationships.
Construct a cladogram.
Recall defining characteristics of organisms to match them with the correct kingdom.
List the kingdoms in each domain.
Use a dichotomous key to identify unknown organisms.
Level: 9th grade
Name:_______________________
Period (circle): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Classification Exam
Multiple Choice. (2pts each) For each question, circle the correct answer and fill in
the corresponding letter on your answer form.
1. Two species that have a recent common ancestor
a. will have similar DNA sequences
b. do not have any genes in common
c. do not always look alike
d. both a & c
e. all of the above
Objective:
Explain how molecular techniques uncover evolutionary relationships.
Cognitive Level:
Comprehend.
2. Which kingdom(s) have cells with peptidoglycan?
a. Protista
b. Fungi
c. Animalia
d. Eubacteria
e. all of the above
Objective:
Recall defining characteristics of organisms to match them with the correct kingdom.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
3. The kingdom Protista is mostly
a. unicellular
b. colonial
c. multicellular
d. tricellular
e. all of the above
Objective:
Recall defining characteristics of organisms to match them with the correct kingdom.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
4. Which kingdom(s) are made up of only heterotrophic organisms?
a. Protista
b. Fungi
c. Animalia
d. b & c
e. all of the above
Objective:
Recall defining characteristics of organisms to match them with the correct kingdom.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
5. Which criteria describe Archaebacteria?
a. unicellular
b. no peptidoglycan
c. autotroph or heterotroph
d. all of the above
Objective:
Recall defining characteristics of organisms to match them with the correct kingdom.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
6. Which kingdom(s) consist of multicellular organisms?
a. Eubacteria
b. Plantae
c. Animalia
d. Protista
e. all of the above
Objective:
Recall defining characteristics of organisms to match them with the correct kingdom.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
Matching. (6 pts) Match each kingdom to its corresponding domain.
_A_1. Eubacteria
A. Bacteria
_B_2. Protista
B. Eukarya
_B_3. Fungi
C. Archaea
_B_4. Animalia
_B_5. Plantae
_C_6. Archaebacteria
Objective:
List the kingdoms in each domain.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
Listing. (1 pt each) List the seven levels of classification from largest (consists of the
most organisms) to smallest (consists of the least number of organisms).
1. (largest)
_____Kingdom______
2.
______Phylum_______
3.
______Class_____
4.
_____Order_____
5.
____Family_____
6.
____Genus____
7. (smallest) _____Species____
Objective:
List the seven levels of classification from smallest to largest.
Cognitive Level:
Knowledge.
Classify. (1 pt each) Identify the genus and species of each fake organism. (Hint:
make your decision based on the format of their names)
Name
Genus
Species
P. orange
P.
orange
Yellow ball
Yellow
ball
Lovely blue
Objective:
Lovely
blue
Use the names of organisms to classify them into groups.
Cognitive Level:
Analyze.
Classify. (14 pts) Use physical characteristics to classify these organisms. Justify
your classification system with words.
My Example: classify these colors – blue, orange, purple, yellow:
Blue, purple
Yellow, orange
My Justification: I put blue and purple together because they are cool colors. I put yellow and
orange together because they are warm colors.
Your Organisms:
Your classification system:
Note: You must have at least two categories. Indicate categories by dividing this box
into sections and placing like organisms together in the same box. See example above.
Answers will vary. Students will be assessed on whether they have two or more
categories, have placed each shape in a category, and have justified their categories
by explaining which characteristics they based their categories on.
Your Justification:
Objective:
Use physical characteristics to classify objects and organisms.
Cognitive Level:
Analyze.
Short Answer. (3 pts each)
1. Why don’t scientists use common names for identifying organisms?
-some organisms have more than one common name
-some common names are used for different organisms
-using one system for naming prevents confusion among scientists
Objective:
Explain the problem with using common names in science.
Cognitive Level:
Comprehend.
2. What is the problem with only using visible physical characteristics to classify
organisms?
-not everyone agrees on what characteristics are the most important
-convergent evolution results in similar outward characteristics and could result
in classifying organisms in a way that doesn’t reflect evolutionary relationships
Objective:
Construct a cladogram.
Cognitive Level:
Apply.
Construct a cladogram. (7 pts) Use the chart of organisms and derived characters
to construct a cladogram. Label the 4 organisms and 3 derived characters in the correct
locations on your cladogram.
Organism
Vascular Tissue
Absent
Present
Present
Present
Mosses
Conifers
Flowering Plants
Ferns
Objective:
Construct a cladogram.
Cognitive Level:
Apply.
Derived Character
Flowers
Absent
Absent
Present
Absent
Seeds
Absent
Present
Present
Absent