Download 6.07: Classification In this lesson, we learned that scientists place

6.07: Classification
In this lesson, we learned that scientists place organisms into groups to learn more about them
and the world in which they live. Scientists would do the same thing if they were to travel to
another planet with life.
Now it’s time for a little science fiction fun! Pretend that you are an interplanetary zoologist (a
scientist who studies animals found on other worlds) and you have been given the task of
classifying the animals on Planet-S153B. Before your arrival, the Exploration Team collected 10
insect-like species with the following characteristics:
Organism
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Delta
Epsilon
Zeta
Eta
Theta
Iota
Kappa
Body Segments
Number of Legs
Antennae
2
4
4
3
3
3
4
3
2
2
4
6
6
8
8
8
6
8
4
4
yes
no
no
no
yes
yes
no
no
yes
yes
To begin, place these organisms into four groups based on similar characteristics by writing
the organism name (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and so forth) in the chart below . Be sure to include
every organism, but list each “insect” just once.
Note from your teacher: Please take a look at the aliens listed above. Do you see the first one,
Alpha? Well, Alpha has 2 body segments, 4 legs, and YES for antennae, meaning it does have
antennae. What other organisms also have 2 body segments, 4 legs, and YES? You’d put those
underneath in GROUP-I. How about Beta? What else has 4 body segments, 6 legs, and NO
antennae? How about Delta? How about Epsilon? You’ll break these down into 4 groups and
place their names below. Then, place the other organisms in the chart as well.
For example, you may want to classify an Alpha with an Iota because they have the similar
characteristics of two (2) body segments, four (4) legs and antennae.
GROUP-I
GROUP-II
GROUP-III
GROUP-IV
Alpha
Beta
Delta
Epsilon
Answer these questions about how you classified the insect-like organisms on PlanetS153B:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain why you grouped the organisms in GROUP-I together.
Explain why you grouped the organisms in GROUP-II together.
Explain why you grouped the organisms in GROUP-III together.
Explain why you grouped the organisms in GROUP-IV together.
For the above 4, discuss why you grouped them together. What did they have in common?
Finally, it is time to return to Earth and review how scientists here classify organisms:
5. Bacteria which do not live in extreme conditions are found in this kingdom:
6. Organisms which can make their own food are found in this kingdom:
7. Your pet snake would be found in this kingdom:
8. Organisms in this kingdom are microscopic and have characteristics of plant and animals
cells:
9. Bacteria which are able to live in extreme conditions are found in this kingdom:
10. Organisms in this kingdom have cell walls, but cannot make their own food:
To answer these questions, you’ll go to the LESSON page of 6.07. You’ll see an orange area that
looks like this:
Use the chart from the 6.07 lesson reading to answer questions 6-10.