Classification of Living Things
Objectives: Learn the characteristics of the 6 kingdoms and follow a dichotomous key
Introduction: In this lab, you will classify organisms, first into the proper kingdom, then down to phylum and
class (if available). The following major characteristics are used to classify organisms:
-Cell type: There are 2 types of cells, prokaryotic and eukaryotic. (Pro = NO, Eu carry a nucleus)
-Body: Organisms may be unicellular or multicellular.
-Body plan: There are 3 types of body plan in animals: (a) radial symmetry, where body parts are arranged in a
circle around a central point, like the spokes of a wheel, (b) bilateral symmetry, where equal left and right sides
mirror each other, and (c) no symmetry, random, as in sponges.
-Reproduction: There are 2 types of reproduction: asexual, where an organism makes an identical copy of
itself, (including binary fission, spore production, budding) and sexual, where genetic information is exchanged
between 2 individuals, making new organisms with unique combinations of genes.
-Obtaining energy: Autotrophs make their own food, obtaining energy either from sunlight (photosynthesis) or
chemical compounds (chemosynthesis). Heterotrophs cannot make their own food and must obtain energy from
other organisms. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat animals, omnivores eat both plants and animals. Other
heterotrophs are parasites or decomposers.
The 6 Kingdoms:
1. Archaebacteria
a. Prokaryotic
b. Cell walls
c. Unicellular
d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
e. Chemosynthetic autotroph
f. Extreme environments only
(hot or salty water, anerobic conditions)
2. Eubacteria
a. Prokaryotic
b. Cell walls
c. Unicellular cells may form chains or groups
d. Asexual or sexualreproduction
e. Autotroph or Heterotroph
3.
Protists
a. Eukaryotic
b. No cell walls
c. Unicellular or multicellular
(most unicellular)
d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
e. Autotroph or Heterotroph
f. Wet environments (pond water)
4. Fungi
a. Eukaryotic
b. Cell walls made of chitin
c. Multicellular
(except yeast)
d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
e. Heterotroph (decomposers)
f. Non-motile (cannot move)
5.
Plants
a. Eukaryotic
b. Cell walls made of cellulose
c. Multicellular
d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
e. Photosynthetic autotroph
f. Non-motile (cannot move)
6. Animals
a. Eukaryotic
b. no cell walls
c. Multicellular
d. Asexual or sexual reproduction
e. Heterotroph
f. Most are motile
Answers:
Card #: ___ Scientific name: ______________ Common name: _______________
Kingdom: _______________
Phylum: _______________
Class: _________________
***Classify at least 5 cards from each kingdom***
Procedure: Cards describing organisms and dichotomous keys are at each lab station.
1. Work through the Key to the Six Kingdoms to decide which kingdom each
organism belongs to. Use the information found on the back of each card.
2. Turn to the appropriate key for that kingdom and work through it to determine the phylum and then
class, if appropriate.
3. Record your findings on the appropriate data sheet. There is a separate sheet for
each kingdom.
4. Answer the questions on the last page.
Kingdom Archaebacteria
Taxonomy
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Phylum Characteristics
Kingdom Eubacteria
Taxonomy
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Phylum Characteristics
Class Characteristic
Kingdom Protista
Taxonomy
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Phylum:
Phylum Characteristics
Kingdom Fungi
Taxonomy
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Phylum Characteristics
Kingdom Plantae
Taxonomy
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Phylum Characteristics
Class Characteristic
Kingdom Animalia
Taxonomy
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Card No:
Sci. Name:
Common Name:
Phylum:
Class:
Phylum Characteristics
Class Characteristic
Questions:
1. Which kingdoms have prokaryotic cells?
____________________________________________________________________
2. Which kingdoms have eukaryotic cells?
____________________________________________________________________
3. Which kingdoms have cell walls?
____________________________________________________________________
4. Which kingdoms cannot move around?
____________________________________________________________________
5. What do the cell walls in fungi contain? In plants?
_____________________________________________________________________
6. What structures do protists use to move around?
_____________________________________________________________________
7. How do fungi obtain energy?
______________________________________________________________________
8. Which kingdom has members that cause disease in humans?
______________________________________________________________________
9. Are there any kingdoms that use only sexual reproduction?
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