Why do Scientists Classify?
5/20/13
S: Find the density of the object below.
An object was dropped
into a graduated
cylinder that contained
20 mL. Determine the
volume of that object.
The object was
The mass
placed
on a
triple beam
balance.
Image from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/
Image from http://genchem.rutgers.edu/bal3b2.html
The solution …
Volume = Volume of water & object – volume of water
Volume = 43 mL – 20 mL
V = 23 mL
M = 373.3 g
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = 373.3 g ÷ 23 mL
D = 16.23 g/mL
P:
What is classification?
• Classification is the grouping
of things according to
characteristics
• The science of classifying
organisms is known as
taxonomy.
A: PPT
http://www.ric.edu/faculty/ptiskus/six_
kingdoms/
Why do Scientists Classify?
• Why?
– Easier to study
– Less confusion
– Easier to see
connections
• How?
– Physical
characteristics
– DNA
Group #1:
Group #2:
Group #3:
Classifying Classroom Objects
All of the items listed below can be found in a
Science classroom. Classify each of the items
into 6 groups, giving each group a heading based
upon its contents.
Group #4:
Teacher
Group #5:
Paper towels
Pencil holder Cabinets
Radio
Turtles
Potted plants
Stapler
Picture frames
Desk
Stuffed animals Table
Scotch tape
Group #6:
Projector
Paper
Soap
Pens
Fish
TV
Magnets
Books
Printer
Scissors
Sink
Computer
Students
Windex
DVD player
Chairs
Lamps
Group #1: Electronics
Group #2: Cleansers
Group #3: Animals
Classifying Classroom Objects
Radio
TV
Printer
DVD Player
Computer
Projector
Soap
Windex
Paper Towels
Turtles
Fish
Teacher
Students
All of the items listed below can be found in a
Science classroom. Classify each of the items
into 6 groups, giving each group a heading based
upon its contents.
Group #4: Furniture
Teacher
Group #5: Plants
Paper towels
Pencil holder Cabinets
Scotch tape
Soap
Chairs
Potted Plants
Desk
Radio
Stapler
TV
Table
Cabinets
Turtles
Picture frames
Printer
Lamps
Picture Frames
Potted
plants
Desk
Computer
Stuffed Animals
Sink
Stuffed
animals Table
DVD player
Group #6: Supplies
Projector
Paper
Pens
Fish
Pencil Holder
Stapler
Magnets
Scotch Tape
Pens
Scissors
Scissors
Books
Students
Magnets
Paper
Chairs
Books
Sink
Windex
Lamps
Scientists classify, or organize, them
into groups based on similar
characteristics.
Domain
Archaea
Domain
Bacteria
Domain
Eukarya
Fungi
Archaebacteria
Protista
Eubacteria
Plantae
Animalia
The Greek philosopher Aristotle was
the first person known to classify living
things scientifically.
Living things were classified as
animals or plants.
• Nearly two thousand years later, the
Swedish biologist Carolus Linnaeus
created a different classification system.
He grouped animals and plants based on
similarities in their structures. (ex.
Backbone or not)
Linnaeus’ system has
changed over time because
we continue to learn about
more organisms.
When scientists are classifying organisms
they categorize them into groups called
taxons.
Organisms within a taxonomic group share
similar characteristics which allow them to
interact within the ecosystem in which they
live.
In the system today, groups that have the
largest number of different organisms are
called domains.
There are three domains:
1. Archaea (archaebacteria) –the oldest and
simplest organisms on earth
2. Bacteria (eubacteria) - more complex
than archaea
3. Eukarya (eukaryotes)- most complex
organisms
Domains are broken down into smaller
levels called kingdoms.
The kingdoms are:
Archaea(thermophiles-live in extreme
heat)
Bacteria (Staphylococcus – responsible
for staph infections)
Protista(blue-green algae)
Plantae (flowering plants)
Fungi (mushrooms)
Animalia (insects)
C:
Identify the six kingdoms by
completing the worksheet.
E:
Why is the use of scientific names
so important in biology/life science?
EduSmart on Taxonomic Classification
5/21/13
S:
Identify the two
factors that
combine to
keep the moon
and Earth in
orbit.
The answers are …
gravity
inertia
Image from http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/to/toyday-newtons-cradle.jpg
P: Pop Quiz on Living Things
A: Watch EduSmart
C: Take Notes
E:
List two characteristics that can be
used to classify an organism.