SOL 5.5 Living Systems

SOL LS.4 Classification Life Science Middle Home

SOL LS.4 Hierarchy and classification of organisms
LS.4 Classification of Organisms the distinguishing characteristics of domains of organisms; the distinguishing characteristics of kingdoms of organisms; the distinguishing characteristics of major animal phyla and plant divisions; and the characteristics that define a species. Hierarchy Information about physical features and activities is arranged in a hierarchy of increasing specificity. The levels in the accepted hierarchy include domain kingdom phylum class order family genus species As living things are constantly being investigated, new attributes (physical and chemical) are revealed that affect how organisms are placed in a standard classification system. This system is the basis for scientific binomial nomenclature. Three Domains 3 DOMAINS - Current classification systems now generally recognize the categorization of organisms into three domains, Archaea Bacteria Eukarya Any grouping of organisms into domains or kingdoms is based on several factors, including the presence or absence of cellular structures, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, or a cell wall; whether the organisms exist as single cells or are multicellular; how the organisms get their food. ARCHAEA - For example, simple, single-celled organisms that are able to survive in extreme environments are believed to be fundamentally different from other organisms and may be classified in their own domain (Archaea). EUKARYA - Four different kingdoms of the Eukarya domain of organisms are generally recognized by scientists today Protista Fungi Plants Animals Animal Phyla & Plant Divisions PHYLA - Some important animal groups (phyla) are the cnidarians mollusks annelids arthropods echinoderms chordates DIVISIONS - Four important plant groups (divisions) are the mosses ferns conifers flowering plants SPECIES - A group of similar-looking organisms that can interbreed under natural conditions and produce offspring that are capable of reproduction defines a species. In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will categorize examples of organisms as representative of the three domains (Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya) and as representative of kingdoms. recognize that the number of domains and kingdoms is subject to change as new data are collected. recognize examples of major animal phyla or of major plant divisions recognize scientific names as part of a binomial nomenclature.

SOL LS.4 Hierarchy and classification of organisms

the distinguishing characteristics of domains of organisms;
the distinguishing characteristics of kingdoms of organisms;
the distinguishing characteristics of major animal phyla and plant divisions; and
the characteristics that define a species.

Hierarchy

Information about physical features and activities is arranged in a hierarchy of increasing specificity.
The levels in the accepted hierarchy include
- domain
- kingdom
- phylum
- class
- order
- family
- genus
- species
As living things are constantly being investigated, new attributes (physical and chemical) are revealed that affect how organisms are placed in a standard classification system.
This system is the basis for scientific binomial nomenclature.

Three Domains

3 DOMAINS - Current classification systems now generally recognize the categorization of organisms into three domains,
- Archaea
- Bacteria
- Eukarya
Any grouping of organisms into domains or kingdoms is based on several factors, including
- the presence or absence of cellular structures, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, or a cell wall;
- whether the organisms exist as single cells or are multicellular;
- how the organisms get their food.
ARCHAEA - For example, simple, single-celled organisms that are able to survive in extreme environments are believed to be fundamentally different from other organisms and may be classified in their own domain (Archaea).
EUKARYA - Four different kingdoms of the Eukarya domain of organisms are generally recognized by scientists today
- Protista
- Fungi
- Plants
- Animals

Animal Phyla & Plant Divisions

PHYLA - Some important animal groups (phyla) are the
- cnidarians
- mollusks
- annelids
- arthropods
- echinoderms
- chordates

DIVISIONS - Four important plant groups (divisions) are the
- mosses
- ferns
- conifers
- flowering plants
SPECIES - A group of similar-looking organisms that can interbreed under natural conditions and produce offspring that are capable of reproduction defines a species.

In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will

categorize examples of organisms as representative of the three domains (Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya) and as representative of kingdoms.
recognize that the number of domains and kingdoms is subject to change as new data are collected.
recognize examples of major animal phyla or of major plant divisions
recognize scientific names as part of a binomial nomenclature.