Classification and species
I can explain how organisms are classified into groups, and what a species is.
Classification and species
I can explain how organisms are classified into groups, and what a species is.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Similarities and differences in the features of organisms are used to classify them into groups within larger groups.
- Scientists classify every organism into groups from kingdom down to species.
- In larger groups such as kingdoms, there are more organisms with fewer similarities in their features.
- A species is a group of individuals with similar features and genes that can reproduce to make fertile offspring.
- Scientists give each species a binomial name to identify the genus and species.
Common misconception
Grouping organisms based on similarities in their names (e.g. fish and jellyfish) or habitat.
The lesson makes clear that scientists classify organisms into groups using similarities and differences in their features (e.g. backbone).
Keywords
Classification - The process of sorting things into groups.
Kingdom - A very large group of organisms with only a few features in common, such as all animals or all plants.
Genus - A small group of several species.
Species - A group of very similar organisms that can reproduce with each other to produce fertile offspring.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
An animal that eats another animal.
An animal which only eats plants.
An animal which eats animals and plants.
A warm-blooded animal that gives birth to live young.
A cold-blooded animal that has moist skin and lays eggs.
A cold-blooded animal that lays eggs and has dry, scaly skin
A warm-blooded animal that lays eggs and has feathers.
A cold-blooded animal that uses gills to breathe.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
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animal
vertebrate
carnivore
Ailuropoda
melanoleuca