Classification: Unit Review Worksheet
USING VOCABULARY
To complete the following sentences, choose the correct term from each pair of terms listed
below, and write the term in the space provided.
1. Linnaeus founded the science of taxonomy. (DNA analysis or taxonomy)
2. All of the organisms classified into a single kingdom are then divided into one of several phyla.
(phyla or classes)
3. The narrowest level of classification is the species. (genus or species)
4. Linnaeus began naming organisms using two-part scientific names. (two-part scientific names or
evolutionary relationships)
5. Archaebacteria and eubacteria are prokaryotes. (prokaryotes or eukaryotes)
UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS
Multiple Choice
6. When scientists classify organisms, they
a. arrange them in orderly groups.
b. give them many common names.
c. decide whether they are useful.
d. ignore evolutionary relationships.
7. When the seven levels of classification are listed from broadest to narrowest, which level is in the
fifth position?
a. class
b. order
c. genus
d. family
8. The scientific name for the European white water lily is Nymphaea alba. What is the genus to
which this plant belongs?
a. Nymphaea
b. alba
c. water lily
d. alba lily
9. “King Phillip Came Over For Good Spaghetti” is a mnemonic device that helps one remember
a. the scientific names of different organisms.
b. the six kingdoms.
c. the seven levels of classification.
d. the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
10. Most bacteria are classified in which kingdom?
a. Archaebacteria
b. Eubacteria
c. Protista
d. Fungi
11. What kind of organism thrives in hot springs and other extreme environments?
a. archaebacteria
b. eubacteria
c. protists
d. fungi
Short Answer
12. Why is the use of scientific names so important in biology?
More than one million species have scientific names. Each of them is unique, and all scientists know
specifically which organism is being discussed without the confusion of common names.
13. List two kinds of evidence used by modern taxonomists to classify organisms.
The invention of the microscope has allowed scientists to study organisms on the cellular level and
look at similarities in DNA looking at species with shared characteristics and species with common
ancestors to examine evolutionary relationships.
14. Is a eubacteria a type of eukaryote? Explain your answer.
Eubacteria is a prokaryote because it is always single-celled and has no nucleus or other
membrane-bound organelles.
CONCEPT MAPPING
15. Use the following terms to create a concept map: kingdom, fern, lizard, Animalia, Fungi, algae,
Protista, Plantae, mushroom.
Kingdom
Plantae
fern
Animalia
lizard
Protista
algae
Fungi
mushroom
CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Write one or two sentences to answer the following questions:
16. How are the levels of classification related to evolutionary relationships among organisms?
Each level of classification groups organisms according to characteristics they share. Starting at the
kingdom level, each level contains fewer organisms with characteristics in common until there is
only species at the species level.
17. Explain why two species that belong to the same genus, such as white oak (Quercus alba) and
cork oak (Quercus suber), also belong to the same family.
The family level of classification contains genera and all the species in those genera. All of the
Quercus genera are in the same family because of shared characteristics.
18. What characteristic do the members of all six kingdoms have in common?
All members of all six kingdoms are or once were living organisms. All living things share a
common ancestor. They also have the genetic code in common, which means they all have
DNA.
(MRS GREN)
INTERPRETING GRAPHICS
19. Which primate is the closest relative to the common ancestor of all primates?
The lemur is the closest relative to the common ancestor of all primates.
20. Which primate shares the most traits with humans?
The chimpanzee shares the most traits with humans.
21. Do lemurs share the characteristics listed at point D with humans? Explain your answer.
No; lemurs branched off between points A and B.
22. What characteristic do baboons have that lemurs do not have? Explain your answer.
Color vision; color vision appears on the diagram after the lemurs have branched off.
VOCABULARY
In your own words, write a definition for each of the following terms in the space provided.

classification – the arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities
and presumed evolutionary relationships

kingdom – the most general of the seven levels of classification

species – the most specific of the seven levels of classification; characterized by a group of
organisms that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring.

taxonomy – the science of identifying, classifying, and naming living things

dichotomous key – an aid to identifying unknown organisms that consists of several pairs of
descriptive statements; of each pair of statements, only one will apply to the unknown
organism, and that will lead to another set of statements, and so on, until the unknown
organism can be identified.
UNIT HIGHLIGHTS
Complete the statements using key terms from the unit.

Classification refers to the arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on their
similarities and evolutionary relationships.

Biologists classify organisms in order to organize the number and diversity of living things
and to give them scientific names.

The classification scheme used today is based on the work of Carolus Linnaeus.

Linnaeus founded the science of taxonomy, in which organisms are described, named, and
classified.

Modern classification schemes include evolutionary relationships.

Today organisms are classified using a seven-level system or organization. The seven levels
are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

The genus and species of an organism compose it two-part scientific name.

A scientific name is always the same for a specific organism, no matter how many common
names it has.

Dichotomous keys help to identify organisms.

At first, living things were classified as either plants or animals. As scientists discovered more
about living things and discovered more organisms, new kingdoms were added that were
more descriptive than the old two-kingdom system.

Most biologists recognize six kingdoms – Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Protista, Plantae,
Fungi, and Animalia.

Bacteria are prokaryotes, single-celled organisms that do not contain nuclei. The organisms
of all other kingdoms are eukaryotes, organisms that have cells with nuclei.

Archaebacteria have been on Earth for about 3 billion years and can live where most other
organisms cannot survive.

Most bacteria are eubacteria and live almost everywhere. Some are harmful, and some are
beneficial.

Plants, most fungi, and animals are complex multicellular organisms. Plants perform
photosynthesis. Fungi break down material outside their body and then absorb the
nutrients. Animals eat food, which is digested inside their body.