Grade 10 Life Science
Biodiversity and Classification
Classification of organisms
Classification is the system of placing
organisms into groups based on their
similar characteristics.
Taxonomy is the formal scientific
classification of organisms.
THE TWO KINGDOM SYSTEM
• Carolus Linnaeus is the “father” of classification.
• Developed the TWO KINGDOM SYSTEM of classifying organisms.
• Developed a system with seven categories (taxa) under each kingdom.
• Categories are based on shared properties between organisms, with each consecutive
level becoming more specific.
LIVING
ORGANISMS
KINGDOM KINGDOM
PLANTAE ANIMALIA
PHYLUMCLASSORDERFAMILYGENUS
PHYLUMCLASSORDERFAMILYGENUS
SPECIES
SPECIES
THE FIVE KINGDOM SYSTEM
• Robert Whittaker developed the five kingdom system of classifying
organisms (this system is what we follow today)
• This system is an expansion of the two kingdom system – now organisms are
sorted into FIVE KINGDOMS (Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia)
• Different criteria are followed when classifying organisms into different kingdoms
(e.g. body structure, cell structure, mode of nutrition, method of reproduction)
PROKARYOTIC and EUKARYOTIC CELLS
• All organisms can be classified into two large groups according to the
presence or absence of certain cell structures.
TRUE × NO TRUE
NUCLEUS NUCLEUS – DNA IS
WITH A FREE IN THE
MEMBRANE CYTOPLASM
ORGANELLES ×NO ORGANELLES
Key terms:
• Unicellular: single celled-organisms.
• Multicellular: organisms that consist of multiple cells.
• Autotrophic: organisms that make their own food.
• Heterotrophic: organisms that cannot make their own food.
• Parasites: organisms that depend on a host for survival while
harming the host.
• Saprophyte: organisms that feed on dead organic matter.
• Mutualism: a relationship where organisms live together and
both benefit from the relationship.
Key terms continued
• Asexual reproduction: A form of reproduction that does NOT
involve the fusion of gametes (sex cells)
• Binary fission: A form of asexual reproduction where a cell
divides into two identical cells.
• Sexual reproduction: A form of reproduction that involves
the fusion of gametes.
Binary fission:
Asexual
Reproduction
[Link]
General characteristics of the 5 Kingdoms
1. KINGDOM MONERA (ALL BACTERIA)
Diagram of a bacterium
Food particles
General characteristics of bacteria
Number of cells Cell structure Feeding Reproduction
Unicellular Prokaryotic Majority are Asexual
heterotrophic reproduction
(parasitic, by binary
saprophytic and fission.
mutualistic
varieties)
2. KINGDOM PROTISTA
PROTOZOA ALGAE SLIME/WATER
MOULDS
[Link]
General characteristics of Protists
Number of Cell structure Feeding Reproduction
cells
Unicellular Eukaryotic Most are Mostly
and Has cilia or heterotrophic asexual by
multicellular flagella for (besides binary fission
varieties movement algae)
3. KINGDOM FUNGI
Yeast Mushroom Mould
General characteristics of Fungi
Number of Cell structure Feeding Reproduction
cells
Unicellular Eukaryotic Heterotrophic Asexually by
yeasts and Cell walls (saprophytic, spores or
multicellular made up of parasitic and binary fission
mushrooms chitin mutualistic OR sexually by
and moulds varieties) gametes
Structure of Rhizopus (bread mould)
Mycelium
4. Kingdom Plantae
Flowering plants
General characteristics of Plantae
Number of Cell structure Feeding Reproduction
cells
Multicellular Eukaryotic Autotrophic Asexually by
Cell walls spores or
made up of binary fission
cellulose OR sexually by
gametes
5. Kingdom Animalia
**The animal kingdom
has 35 different groups
(phyla)
General characteristics of Animalia
Number of Cell structure Feeding Reproduction
cells
Multicellular Eukaryotic Heterotrophic Mostly sexual
(most by gametes
complex
kingdom)
NAMING OF SPECIES
• Carl Linnaeus developed the BINOMIAL NAMING SYSTEM to classify
organisms.
• Scientific names are Latin – Latin was a universal language at the time
therefore, all scientists could understand it.
• Scientific names of organisms have TWO PARTS – genus name + species
name
• Rules: Genus in capitals, species in small letters. The entire name is
either written in italics or underlined.
DICHOTOMOUS KEYS (BIOLOGICAL KEYS)
Used to identify an unknown organism. Different descriptions are given for you to
choose from. If the right option is chosen at each step, it will lead you to the
correct name of the organism.
A.
DICHOTOMOUS KEY FOR LEAVES
Worked examples:
Identify LEAF G