CAROLUS LINNAEUS
Kingdoms and
classification
Name: ____________________________________________ Period: ______________
TEACHER: _____________________________________________________________
Student Unit Plan 8: Topic to Master: Taxonomy, Classification, Kingdoms
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vocabulary Terms:
taxonomy
classification
kingdom
phylum
class
order
family
genus
species
taxon
phylogeny
dichotomous key
cladogram
hierarchy
binomial nomenclature
heterotroph
autotroph
unicellular
cilia
multicellular
sessile
flagella
fungi
eukaryote
nucleus
archaebacteria
eubacteria
protista
cellulose
animalia
plantae
producer
consumer
chitin
pseudopod
prokaryote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BIG IDEA: Taxonomy, Classification and Kingdoms
My level of
STOCK QUESTIONS
understanding
 or 
1. Can I define the term taxonomy and
recognize the importance of a standard
classifying system?
Why is it important to classify organisms into
different categories?
2. Can I identify the contributions of
Linnaeus to the Science of Taxonomy
(classification)?
How was Linnaeus’ system useful to the world of
Biology?
3. Can I identify how to correctly write an
organism’s scientific name (binomial
nomenclature)?
Why is it important for organisms to have a scientific
name?
4. Given scientific names of organisms, can I
determine which are most closely related?
5. Can I identify the hierarchy (levels) of
classification (K, P, C, O F, G, S)?
6. Can I correctly read and interpret a
dichotomous key?
7. Can I categorize organisms using a
hierarchical classification system based on
similarities and differences shared among
groups?
8. Can I identify the characteristics of the
organisms that belong to the six kingdoms?
9. Can I compare and contrast the
characteristics of the six kingdoms?
Page 2
NOTES ABOUT THE KINGDOMS:
ARCHAEBACTERIA
EUBACTERIA
“ANCIENT BACTERIA”
 Cell type_____________________________
 Cell type_______________________
 # of cells ____________________________
 # of cells _______________________
 Cell structure: Cell wall _______ peptidoglycan
 Cell structure: Cell wall has _____ peptidoglycan
 Nutrition : ___________________________
 Nutrition : _________________________
 Movement __________________________
 Movement _________________________
 Reproduction: _______________________
 Reproduction _______________________
 Where do they live? ___________________
 Found only in ___________ environments.
 Some are pathogens that cause disease
 Examples include methanogens, halophiles, and
 Some are beneficial
thermophiles
FUNGI
PROTISTS
 Cell type_______________________
 Cell type_______________________
 # of cells _______________________
 # of cells _______________________
 Cell structure: Cell wall with __________
 Cell structure: ____________________
 Nutrition : _________________________________
 Nutrition : ________________________
 Movement ________________________
 Movement :______________________
 Reproduction: _____________________
 Reproduction: _____________________
 Role: _____________________________
 Found manly in _________ environments
 Examples include mushrooms, molds, ringworm,
 Examples include amoebas, Paramecium,
yeast, athlete’s foot, Penicillium
Euglena, algae, and slime molds
PLANTS
ANIMALS
 Cell type_______________________
 Cell type_________________________
 # of cells _______________________
 # of cells _________________________
 Cell structure: Cell wall with _____________
 Cell structure: _____________________
 Nutrition : ____________________________
 Nutrition : ____________________________
 Movement __________________________
 Movement __________________________
 Reproduction: ______________________
 Reproduction: _____________________
 Some use male and female sex cells called
 Role _________________________________
_______________________________________
gametes in special organs
Flowers
_____________________________________
Cones
 Examples include mosses, ferns, flowering
plants, trees, and cactus
Page 3
 Examples include mosses,
CLASSIFICATION – CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SIX KINGDOMS
DIRECTIONS:
1. Each text box contains a list of characteristics for organisms found within the same kingdom.
2. Read the information listed in each text box and identify the appropriate kingdom for organisms with those
characteristics.
3. Additionally, explain how you selected the kingdom from the characteristics listed.
(A)
* Does not have a nucleus
* Unicellular
* Lives in harsh conditions, such as hot springs or
volcanoes
KINGDOM: _________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(B)
* Well-defined nucleus
* Some are autotrophs, others are heterotrophs
* Usually unicellular, some are multicellular or
colonial
* Move by means of flagella, cilia or pseudopods
KINGDOM: _______________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
(C)
* Eukaryotic
* Cannot make their own food
* Multicellular
* Important decomposers
KINGDOM: ___________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
(D)
* Well-defined nucleus
* Autotrophs
* Multicellular
* Cellulose in cell walls
KINGDOM: _________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Page 4
(E)
* Prokaryotic
* Some are autotrophic, others are heterotrophic
* Some beneficial, others are pathogens
* Cell wall contains peptidoglycan
(F)
* Well-defined nucleus
* Cannot make their own food
* Made up of many cells with specialized tissues
and organs
* Mostly sexual reproduction
(G)
* Eukaryotic and multicellular
* Make their own food
* Sessile
* Cells contain chloroplasts
(H)
* DNA not surrounded by a membrane
* Some can make their own food and some cannot
make their own food.
* Some are nitrogen-fixing
(I)
* Eukaryotic and multicellular
* Heterotrophic
* Mobile
* Vertebrates
KINGDOM: _________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
KINGDOM: _______________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
KINGDOM: ___________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
KINGDOM: _________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
KINGDOM: _________________________________
Explain your reason(s) for selecting this kingdom:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Page 5
CLASSIFICATION NOTES: What is the importance of classifying things?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________
______________________ is placing things into categories based on similar characteristics
_________________________ is the science of classifying organisms
________________________category; very general; most diverse; most inclusive
____________ category; most specific; least diverse; most exclusive
HOW WILL YOU REMEMBER THE ORDER????
Carolus Linnaeus : 1732, came up with the universal 2 word-naming system called _____________________________
based on the dead language called LATIN. Each organism has a _____________ and _____________________ name.
_________________ is written first and is _________________________. Can be underlined or italicized but not both.
________________ is written second and is _______________________. Can be underlined or italicized but not both.

Scientific names can tell scientists how closely related organisms are to each other.
Based on their names, you know that the baboons
Papio annubis and Papio cynocephalus do not belong
to the same:
a. Family
b. Genus
The bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, is most closely related
to the _____________.
c. Order
d. Species
a. Spotted chorus frog, Pseudacris clarki
b. Asian flying frog, Polypedates leucomystax
c. Northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scientific name of lion?__________________________
Of deer? ______________________________________
Of wolf?_______________________________________
Most closely related?_____________________________
What categories do they all have in common?
_______________________________________________
DICHOTOMOUS KEY: ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 6
Dichotomous Key on Norns
Norns belong to the genus Norno and can be divided into eight species that are generally located in
specific regions of the world. Use the dichotomous key to identify the Norns below. Write their complete scientific name
(genus + species) in the blank.
1. Has pointed ears .................................... go to 3
Has rounded ears ....................................go to 2
2. Has no tail ............................................. Norno kentuckyus
Has tail .................................................. Norno dakotus
3. Ears point upward .................................... go to 5
Ears point downward .................................go to 4
4. Engages in waving behavior ............................. Norno dallus
Has hairy tufts on ears .......................................Norno californius
5. Engages in waving behavior ............................. Norn wala-wala
Does not engage in waving behavior....................go to 6
6. Has hair on head ............................................. Norno beverlus
Has no hair on head (may have ear tufts) .......go to 7
7. Has a tail ............................................. Norno yorkio
Has no tail, aggressive ...................... Norno rajus
A______________________
B_____________________
C____________________
D. ________________________
E. ______________________
F. __________________________
Page 7
Which tree produced each of the leaves shown in this diagram?
Write the genus for each tree that produced the leaves shown above.
I. __________________________________________
II. _________________________________________
III. ________________________________________
IV. _______________________________________
V. ________________________________________
VI. _______________________________________
VII. ______________________________________
Page 8
Cladograms
Background: Cladistics is the study of evolutionary classification. Cladograms show evolutionary relationships
among organisms. Comparative morphology investigates characteristics for homology and analogy to
determine which organisms share a recent common ancestor. A cladogram will begin by grouping organisms
based on a characteristics displayed by ALL the members of the group. Subsequently, the larger group will
contain increasingly smaller groups that share the traits of the groups before them. However, they also
exhibit distinct changes as the new species evolve. Further, molecular evidence from genes which rarely
mutate can provide molecular clocks that tell us how long ago organisms diverged, unlocking the secrets of
organisms that may have similar convergent morphology but do not share a recent common ancestor.
Questions:
1. Which organisms in the cladogram in the diagram above have fur and mammary glands?
2. Which organisms in the cladogram in figure 1 have jaws?
3. Based on the cladogram in figure 1, which shared a common ancestor most recently – a mouse and a
lizard or a mouse and a perch?
4. Which two organisms would you expect to have a closer matching DNA sequence for a gene that is
NOT under selective pressure in nature – Hagfish and Pigeon or Hagfish and Salamander?
Page 9
SELF-QUIZ:
1.
What structure is common to all domains of living organisms?
A DNA
B Nucleus
2.
Which of the following levels of classification is the largest, most inclusive group of organisms?
A Species
B Family
3.
C Cell Wall
D Flagella
C Kingdom
D Order
All of the following characteristics are used to classify living organisms EXCEPT –
A genetic relationships.
B habitat and social interaction.
C cell structure and function.
D mode of reproduction.
4.
A table of animal characteristics is provided below:
Rodents, such as mice, have a notochord, hair, 3 inner ear bones, and produce milk. They have five
toes on each foot. Rodents, therefore, are classified as –
A Chordates only, not mammals or cetartiodactyls.
B Chordates and cetartiodactyls, but not mammals.
C Chordates and mammals, but not cetartiodactyls.
D Chordates, mammals, and cetartiodactyls
5.
Why is it important to have a common classification system in the worldwide scientific community? It –
A allows scientists to classify organisms and assign each living thing a universally accepted name.
B makes certain that all future discoveries of organisms will fit into an existing category.
C prevents different countries from using their own languages for common names of organisms.
D provides a way to ensure that species will no longer change over time.
Page 10
6.
Two organisms that are classified in the same class are more similar than two organisms that are only
in the same –
A species.
B phylum.
C order.
D genus.
7.
A table showing characteristics of an organism is provided. According to this information, the organism
described most likely belongs to Kingdom –
A Animalia
B Protista
C Fungi
D Plantae
8.
Taxonomy is the branch of science that deals with –
A composition of the material universe.
B classification of living organisms.
C function of cellular structures.
D organization of all non-living things.
9.
A table of information about an organism is provided. To which of the following Kingdoms does the
organism most likely belong?
A Plantae
B Protista
C Eubacteria
D Archaebacteria
10.
An organism has the following characteristics. Eukaryotic, multicellular, no cell walls, reproduces
sexually and does not carry out photosynthesis.
Which of the following classification correctly describes this organism?
A Domain Eukarya – Kingdom Animalia
B Domain Eukarya – Kingdom Fungi
C Domain Bacteria – Kingdom Eubacteria
D Domain Archaea – Kingdom Archaebacteria
Page 11