Unit 2 Science Study Guide
Plant and Animal Classification
Why is it important for scientists to classify animals and plants?
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Easier to share information
Easier to locate animals or plants
Shows the relationship to other living things
There are 2 types of plants:
Vascular:
Examples:
Celery, Trees, Bushes, Flowers, Grass
Nonvascular
Examples:
Moss, Liverwort, Algae, Lichen
Characteristics of Vascular plants:
1.)
Have roots and tubes (vascular system) to carry water and nutrients
2.)
Have a support structure to hold them up
3.)
Grow tall
4.)
Produce, seeds, flowers and fruit
Characteristics of Non-Vascular plants:
1.)
Do not have true roots or tubes (No vascular system)
2.)
Grow in damp places. They soak up water through their leaves.
3.)
Grow low to the ground. They have no support to hold them up.
Animals are divided into 2 Main groups
Vertebrates have:
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Vertebrates
Invertebrates
Backbones
Examples of Vertebrates:
Invertebrates do not have
1.) Mammals
2.) Fish
3.) Amphibians
4.) Bird
5.) Reptiles
Backbones
Examples of Invertebrates: 1.) Insects
2.) Spiders
3.) Mollusks (Clams, oysters, mussels)
4.) Squid / Octopus
5.) Starfish
Many invertebrates live in the ocean
Critical Thinking
1.)
How would understanding the science of living things be more difficult if they weren’t classified?
If living things weren’t classified, it would be hard to share information, hard to locate animals and plants and
hard to show the relationship between living things..
2.)
Why are vascular plants generally taller than nonvascular plants?
Vascular plants have roots and tubes to bring water and nutrients to the top of the plant. Vascular plants also
have stems and trunks to support them and make them strong. Non-vascular plants do not have roots and
tubes, and they have no stems or trunks to support them.
3.)
Why might a break in the main stem of a plant cause it to die?
A break in the main stem of a plant would prevent water and nutrients from traveling to the different parts of the
plant through its roots and tubes (vascular system). Without water and food, the plant will die.
Applying Science Concepts
Directions: Use the following terms to identify the pictures below:
invertebrate
Reptile
Bird
Nonvascular Plant
reptile
amphibian
Amphibian
Invertebrate
Mammal
fish
bird
mammal
vascular
non-vascular
Reptile
Mammal
Vascular Plant
Reptile