CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY
The format is Genus species. The genus is capitalised,
and the species are not.
1. Characteristics and The classification of organisms helps show the
evolutionary relationships between them.
Classification of Living Scientists also use the DNA base sequence to help
classify organisms.
Organisms The similarity in DNA chains shows how closely the two
organisms are related.
1.1. Characteristics of Living Organisms
The Age-Old Acronym: MRS GREN
Dichotomous Keys
Dichotomous Keys use visible features to classify
organisms. They give you a choice of two features, and
Movement: an action by an organism or part of an
you follow the one that applies: each option leads to
organism causing a change of position or place
another option until the organism is narrowed down to its
Respiration: the chemical reactions in cells that break genus and species.
down nutrient molecules and release energy for
metabolism
Sensitivity: the ability to detect and respond to changes in
the internal or external environment
Growth: a permanent increase in size and dry mass
Reproduction: the processes that make more of the same
kind of organism
Excretion: the removal of the waste products of
metabolism and substances in excess of requirements
Nutrition: the taking in of materials for energy, growth,
and development
1.2. Concept and Uses of Classification
System 1.3. Features of Organisms
Sequence of Classification The Five Kingdoms
Organisms are classified into groups by the features they
share.
Species: a group of organisms that can reproduce to
produce fertile offspring.
Sequence of Classification: Kingdom → Phylum → Classes
→ Orders → Families → Genus → Species.
Acronym: King Philip, Come Over For Good Soup
The Binomial Nomenclature Animals: Multicellular ingestive heterotrophs (eat living
organisms). Ex: cat, ladybird, newt, etc.
The Binomial System of Naming Species is an Plants: Multicellular photosynthetic autotrophic (make
internationally agreed system in which an organism's their food) organism with a cellulose cell wall and
scientific name is comprised of two parts, namely, the chloroplasts. Ex: cactus, oak tree.
genus and species.
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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY
Fungi: Single-celled or multicellular heterotrophic and
1.6. Classification of Plants
saprotrophic organisms with cell walls not made of
cellulose, spread by spreading spores in moist/dark/warm
In IGCSE Biology, the plant kingdom is classified into ferns
environments. Most have hyphae and mycelium in
and flowering plants.
structure. Ex: yeast, mushrooms.
Prokaryotes: Single-celled organisms with no true nucleus Ferns:
or DNA in the cytoplasm. Many also have plasmids. Ex: Do not produce flowers/seeds
[Link], Salmonella. They are plants with roots, stems and feathery leaves
Protist or Protoctist: Single-celled organism with a Reproduce by spores
nucleus. Eukaryotes. Some are multicellular. Ex: Amoeba, Flowering plants:
seaweed. They are plants with roots, stems and leaves
Reproduce sexually through flowers and seeds
1.4. Vertebrates Seeds are produced inside the ovary in the flower
Monocotyledons Dicotyledons
One cotyledon/One-seed leaf Two cotyledons/Two-seed leaf
Parallel veins Branching veins
Long Narrow Leaf Broad leaves
The Number of Petals is a The Number of Petals is a
Multiple of 3 Multiple of 4 or 5
Scattered Vascular Bundles Ringed Vascular Bundles
Types of Vertebrates Features
Tip: Differentiating monocotyledons and
Fur on the skin, External ears
dicotyledons comes up frequently in Multiple
Mammals (pinna), Internal fertilisation,
Choice Questions
Mammary Glands
Thick, dry, scaly skin, Usually four
Reptiles legs, Internal fertilisation, Soft
1.7. Viruses
Shelled Eggs
Viruses are not part of any classification system because
Wet scales, Streamlined body they are not considered living things.
Fish shape, External fertilisation, and They do not carry out the seven life processes for
soft eggs themselves; instead, they take over a host cell’s metabolic
Smooth, moist skin, External pathways to make multiple copies of themselves.
fertilisation, and soft eggs, Gills, & Virus structure contains only a genetic material (RNA or
Amphibians
Lungs can live on land and water. DNA) inside a protein coat.
Most have four legs. Example of virus structure below (No mitochondria or
Feathers on the body and scales on ribosomes)
legs, Constant internal body
Birds
temperature, Hard eggs, Internal
fertilisation, birth through eggs
1.5. Arthropods
Invertebrates: Organisms that do not have a backbone.
All arthropods have three standard features:
1. Exoskeleton
2. Jointed legs
3. Segmented body
Type of Arthropod Number of Legs 2. Organisation of the
Insects 6
Arachnids 8 Organism
Crustaceans >10
Myriapods >20 2.1. Cell Structure
[Link] Copyright © 2024 ZNotes Education & Foundation. All Rights Reserved. This document is authorised
for personal use only by Rahmath Bano at 21kschool on 25/09/24.