classification revision

By Benjamin Graham

​• explain that classification systems were developed to help scientists communicate information about organisms despite their different locations and languages • describe some of the changes in classification systems that have been used since Aristotle in 322BC • identify the current classification system as that devised by Linnaeus in the 1700s. • describe the eight characteristics shared by all living things using the acronym MR N GREWW. • explain that different keys are used to sort organisms into groups. The dichotomous key sorts organisms by making simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decisions. • construct and read keys in tabular and diagram form • describe the two-part naming system devised by Carl Linnaeus • identify the genus and species of an organism from its two-part name. • explain that Life on Earth is classified by scientists into 5 kingdoms: Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Fungi, Protista (algae) and Monera (bacteria) • understand that classification is based on cell structure, what the organisms look like and how they absorb nutrients. • explain that invertebrates have either an exoskeleton or no skeleton • explain that invertebrates make up 96% of all animals • identify the six main phyla of invertebrates: arthropods, poriferans, molluscs, cnidarians, nematodes/platyhelminths/annelids and echinoderms. explain the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate • explain that vertebrates are sorted into five Classes – mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians • use the terms endotherm and ectotherm to group the vertebrates.