Introduction to Classification - Biology Activities with Specimens

Introduction to Classification

Based on the fact there are so many different living things in the world, biologists put these organisms into groups to make it easier to study and identify them. This process is called classification. Classification enables scientists to make predictions. When we know the characteristics of a group we can predict the features of an organism in that group. For example, an owl and chicken are both birds. If we know what the heart of a chicken looks like we can predict what the heart of an owl will look like even if we have not seen it.

Learning Objectives

To group living things according to their similarities and differences.

Materials

Marker pen, cardboard, bread, and a tomato.

Specimens

Rat, ants, hibiscus or another type of    ower, beetle, sh, worm.

Hazards and Safety

When collecting and observing specimens, avoid dangerous animals like snakes, black ants, wasps, and bees. Stay away from poisonous plants like deadly nightshade and poisonous fungi like Amonita.

Preparation Procedure

1.           Collect different living things like fungi, plants of different shapes and sizes, and animals.

2.           Place a piece of moist bread near a window to culture bread mould.

3.           Cut a tomato in half and leave it overnight to prepare mucor.

4.           Mount the different specimens on a piece of cardboard box and label each specimen with a single letter.

Activity Procedure

1.           Display the specimens for observation.

2.           Group the organisms based on their similarities and differences.

3.           Classify the organisms, naming their Kingdom, Phylum/Division, and Class.

Results and Conclusion

Students are expected to observe and group living things according to their similarities and differences.

Clean Up Procedure

1.           Collect all the used materials, storing items that will be used later. No special waste disposal is required.