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 life-maintaining 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!!