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Imagine that in the year 2525, a new solar system in our galaxy is discovered. Many similarities between our
solar system and this new one are found, including a planet that resembles Earth. A space probe lands on this
planet and sends a variety of different living organisms back to Earth through a molecular transporter beam.
The scientists studying these organisms realize they need to develop a classification system to help them
compare the life forms to the organisms on Earth.
Your role is to study the illustrations of the creatures and develop a possible classification scheme based on
the information provided for each organism. You must be able to justify and defend the method that you use.
This classification system will be useful in showing relationships among organisms, a way to name these
organisms, and establish names for future researchers to refer to.
Step 1: Study the organism cards carefully. Note feature similarities and differences of the creatures. Make a
list of all the different features you observe.
Step 2: Divide the organisms into two groups based on a specific feature. (Note: groups do not need to contain
equal numbers of organisms). Each group will need a name that is descriptive of the trait those organisms
have in common. Sketch an example of the trait which defines each group.
Example:
Trait #1
Trait #2
Figure 1
Step 3: Now you need to further divide the groups based on other traits into 2-3 subgroups (Figure 1). Each
organism should fit into only one distinct subgroup. The subgroups should also be named to describe the trait
that the organisms within the group share. Like the previous step, sketch an example of the trait that defines
each subgroup.
Step 4: You will need to be checked off for your classification scheme. Be prepared to justify why you have
organized the specimens your groups.
Step 5: Sergeant Space Commander Teacher brings you news of newly discovered organisms that need to be
classified before Space Villain Zurg administers a 500 question quiz to all science cadets. Try to place the
newly discovered organisms into your existing classification scheme. Explain how these newly discovered
organisms fit into your system of classification.
Will you have to create a new group or can you find a way to fit it into an existing group?
Step 6: Now create a new classification scheme that includes the four new organisms that uses a different trait
to begin with. Essentially repeat steps 1-3 selecting different traits, then sort the organisms into an additional
sub grouping (you may end up with 8 or more, see Figure 2). Make sure you name and sketch each group.
Step 7: You will again need to be checked off for your new classification scheme. Be prepared to justify why
you have organized the specimens your groups.
Answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.



How are organisms classified?
Figure 2
What benefits come from classifying organisms?
How could you use your classification scheme to name these different organisms?
All of the organisms in the box below (Figure 3) belong to the animal Kingdom. Design a classification
system by grouping the animals into the outline provided in Figure 4. Draw Figure 4 in your lab
notebook.
To complete Figure 4, use the numbers only of each animal. List those animals belonging to each
Phylum and class in the space marked numbers.
Choose a suitable name for each Phylum that helps to show the trait you used for your grouping.
Write the names in the blanks next to Phylum in Figure 4.
Choose a suitable name for each Class that helps to show the trait you used for your grouping. Write
the names in the blanks next to Class in Figure 4.
FIGURE 4
KINGDOM ANIMAL______
(NUMBERS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
PHYLUM _______________
(NUMBERS
)
PHYLUM _______________
(NUMBERS
)
CLASS _______ CLASS ________
(NUMBERS
) (NUMBERS
)
PHYLUM _______________
(NUMBERS
CLASS ________ CLASS ________
(NUMBERS
) (NUMBERS
)
CLASS ____________
(NUMBERS
)
)