Classification &
Taxonomic Keys
Any characteristic of an
organism that makes it
better able to survive in its
environment.
ADAPTATION
The basic unit of structure
and function for all living
things.
CELLS
All the changes undergone
by living things as they
grow.
DEVELOPMENT
The regulation of lifemaintaining conditions
inside an organism despite
changes in its environment.
HOMEOSTASIS
The length of time an
organism is expected to
live.
LIFE SPAN
A living thing that exhibits
all the characteristics
necessary for life.
ORGANISM
The reaction of an
organism to a stimulus.
RESPONSE
Anything an organism
responds to, such as,
sound, light, heat,
vibration, odor, hunger,
and so on.
STIMULUS
To group ideas,
information, or objects,
based on their similarities.
CLASSIFICATION
A group of one or more
species with similar
characteristics.
GENUS
The highest and largest of
the taxonomic categories,
including all other
categories.
KINGDOM
The evolutionary history of
an organism.
PHYLOGENY
The observable traits of an
organism that can be used by
scientists to classify them into
groups.
MORPHOLOGY
The second highest
taxonomic category in the
animal kingdom.
PHYLUM
A group of organisms
whose members
successfully reproduce
among themselves.
SPECIES
The great variety of plants,
animals, and other
organisms on Earth.
DIVERSITY
The science of classifying
and naming organisms.
TAXONOMY
A key containing a detailed
list of traits used to identify
a specific organism.
DICHOTOMOUS
An organism made up of a
single cell.
UNICELLULAR
An organism made up of
two or more cells.
MULTICELLULAR
A type of reproduction in
which a new organism is
produced from one parent.
ASEXUAL
Inherited characteristic that
may help an organism to
survive.
ADAPTATION
The group in our
classification system with
the most members.
KINGDOM
The group in our
classification system with
the most similar organisms.
SPECIES
The kingdom with the most
complex organisms on
earth.
ANIMAL
Trees and flowers belong in
this kingdom.
PLANT
Mushrooms belong in this
kingdom.
FUNGI
Are organisms in the plant
and animal kingdom
unicellular or multicellular?
MULTICELLULAR
Are organisms in the
bacteria kingdom(s)
unicellular or multicellular?
UNICELLULAR
Are organisms in the protist
kingdom mostly unicellular
or multicellular?
MOSTLY
UNICELLULAR
(SLIME MOLDS/ALGAE ARE MULTICELLULAR)
Are organisms in the fungi
kingdom unicellular or
mostly multicellular?
MOSTLY
MULTICELLULAR
(YEAST ARE UNICELLULAR)
Organisms in this kingdom
do not provide their own
means of locomotion
(cannot see them physically
move).
PLANT
How do organisms in the
fungi kingdom obtain
nutrients?
ABSORBING
(DECOMPOSITION)
How do plants make food?
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Sponges, reptiles, birds,
and fish belong to which
kingdom?
ANIMAL
Bacteria that can live in
extreme conditions are part
of this kingdom.
ARCHAEBACTERIA
Mosses, ferns, and
organisms that flower are
in this kingdom.
PLANT
The scientist who
developed binomial
nomenclature.
CAROLUS LINNAEUS
Organisms in this kingdom
are believed to be the
original ancestors of plants
and animals.
PROTIST
What is another name for
“true bacteria”?
EUBACTERIA
list the 7 characteristics of
living things?
•Movement
•Respiration
•Sensitivity
•Growth
•Reproduction
•Excretion
•Nutrition
Remember . . . classification is
always changing and so will
your grade after this quiz!
GOOD LUCK!!