Classification of Organisms

…and why it is important for scientists to put organisms into

specific groups…

The Kingdoms

Kingdoms and ExamplesProtists Plant Fungi Moneran Animal

Algae Vascular Mushrooms Bacteria ReptilesParameciem Trees

and Flowers

Molds Blue green algae

Fish

Diatoms Non-vascular

Yeasts Birds

Amoebas Lichens Amphibians

Ferns and

Mosses

Rusts Mammals

The Protists Kingdom

Characteristics of protistsA. Most are one-celled, but some have many cellsB. Cells have a membrane around the nucleusC. Some get nutrients and energy by eating other organismsD. Some get energy from the sun, and nutrients from the water around themE. Most reproduce by splitting in twoF. Examples are paramecium, amoeba, and kelp

There are three categories:– Animal-like protists

• Amoeba, paramecium, giardia, plasmodium– Fungus-like protists

• Water molds, downey mildews, slime molds– Plant-like protists

• Euglenoids, dinoflagellates, diatoms

Animal-like protists

Amoeba Giardia Paramecium

•Protists that are classified as animal-like are called protozoans and share some common traits with animals.  •All animal-like protists are heterotrophs.  •Likewise, all animal-like protists are able to move in their environment in order to find their food.  •Unlike, animals, however, animal-like protists are all unicellular.

Fungus-like protists

Downy Mildews Water Molds Slime Molds

Live in water or moist environments Look like tiny threads with a fuzzy covering Attack food such as potatoes, cabbage, and corn and can destroy whole crops

Live in moist soil and on decaying plants and trees Very colorful Move by forming pseudopods Feed on bacteria and other microorganisms

Plant-like protists

•Autotrophs when sunny •Heterotrophs when dark •Unicellular •Found mostly in fresh water •Some have flagellum

•Unicellular •Covered by stiff plates •Have two flagella •May glow in the dark •Found in ocean

•Unicellular •Glasslike cell walls •Used in toothpastes, scouring products, and as filters

Euglenoid Dinoflagellate Diatom

More plant-like protists

•Are green in color •Mostly unicellular, but some form colonies, and a few are multicellular •Live in fresh water, salt water, and a few live on land

Green Algae Red Algae Brown Algae

•Multicellular •Commonly called sea weed •Live in deep salt water •Are used by humans to help make ice cream and hair conditioner •Are eaten in some Asian cultures

•Multicellular •Commonly called sea weed •Have large leaf-like structures called blades •Live in salt water •Are used by humans to help make pudding and salad dressing

The Fungi Kingdom

Characteristics of fungiA. Most are many-celled and some are one-celled organismsB. Cells have a membrane around the nucleusC. Get nutrients and energy by absorbing/ digesting the surface they live on

D. Most reproduce by sporesE. Examples are yeast, mushrooms, bread molds, and lichens

Mushrooms

Yeasts

Lichen

                                      

 Anzia colpodes ("black-foam lichen") on bark in the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

                                      

 Anzia colpodes ("black-foam lichen") on bark in the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

"black-foam lichen" on bark in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Molds

Rusts (fungi on grasses)

Moneran Kingdom

• Characteristics of moneransA. One-celled organismsB. Cells have no membrane around the nucleus

• C. Reproduce by splitting in twoD. Absorb nutrients from outside their bodiesE. Some monerans cause diseases, but others are helpful to peopleF. Examples: bacteria

Bacteria

                                     

                           

                                     

                             

                                     

                          

E coli bacteria Lime disease bacteria Anthrax bacteria

 

Blue-green algae

Plant Kingdom

Characteristics of plantsA. Many-celled organismsB. Cells have a membrane around the nucleus, contain chlorophyll, and have cell wallsC. Get energy from the sun and take in nutrients from their surroundingsD. Most reproduce from seeds; some reproduce from other special partsE. Examples are ferns, trees, grasses, and bushes

F. Vascular and Non-vascular

Non-vascular plants

Liverworts Hornworts

Nonvascular plants have no roots, stems, or leaves

Non-vascular plants is a general term for those plants (including the green algae) without a vascular system (xylem and phloem).

Mosses

Vascular plants

• The vascular plants are those plants that have lignified tissues for conducting water, minerals, and photosynthetic products through the plant.

• Vascular plants include the ferns, clubmosses, flowering plants, conifers and other gymnosperms.

Animal Kingdom

F. Vertebrates (have a backbone) make up 2% of the world.

G. Invertebrates (have NO backbone) make up 98% of the world.

Characteristics of animals

A. Many-celled organismsB. Cells have a membrane around the nucleusC. Get nutrients and energy by eating other organismsD. Reproduce with eggs. Some eggs develop inside the mother's body, and some develop outside the mother's body.E. Examples are bears, fish, frogs, butterflies, and starfish

Vertebrates

• Animals with an internal skeleton made of bone are called vertebrates.

• Vertebrates include: primates, such as humans and monkeys; amphibians; reptiles; birds; and, fish.

• Although vertebrates represent only a very small percentage of all animals, their size and mobility often allow them to dominate their environment.

Amphibians Reptiles

Birds

Mammals Fish

Invertebrates

Invertebrates don't have an internal skeleton made of bone.

Many invertebrates have a fluid-filled, hydrostatic skeleton, like the jelly fish or worm.

Others have a hard outer shell, like insects and crustaceans.

The most common invertebrates include the protozoa, annelids, echinoderms, mollusks and arthropods.

Protozoa Annelids Mollusks Echinoderms

Crustaceans Arachnids Insects

Why is it important for scientists to classify organisms?

• Scientists group living organisms based on specific characteristics to make them easier to study.

• Living things are sorted into groups based on common characteristics.

• Each large group can be divided into smaller groups based on common characteristics.