13.1     Classification

Notes: Presently the Five Kingdom classification system of Margulis and Schwartz (based on Whittaker) found in most textbooks is the one used in this syllabus. Changes are anticipated and some specialists in systematics believe that Archaebacteria and Eubacteria should be elevated above kingdom status, but this is not included in this syllabus (yet!).

13.1.1     Describe the value of classifying organisms.

13.1.2     Outline the binomial system of nomenclature.

13.1.3     Discuss the definition of the term species.

13.1.4     Outline the features used to classify organisms into the kingdoms: Prokaryotae, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.

13.1.5     List the seven levels in the hierarchy of taxa: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species using an example from each of two different kingdoms.

13.1.6     Design and/or apply a key for a group of up to eight organisms.

13.2     Diversity

Notes: The amount of time to devote to classification in a modern syllabus is always debatable. A detailed study of the five Kingdoms would not be appropriate for all students, but 13.2 provides opportunity to look at one aspect of each of the five kingdoms. Studies of diversity in this part of the syllabus are restricted here to specified aspects of metabolism in prokaryotes and fungi. The diversity in the plant kingdom is narrowed down to the diversity of methods of movement. (Note that the unusual situation of the protoctista needs only a simple statement.)

13.2.1     Outline the wide range of metabolic activity of prokaryotes including fermentation, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation.

13.2.2     State that a wide range of organisms including algae and protozoa are classified in the protoctista.

13.2.3     Describe how fungi obtain nutrients using one parasite and one saprotroph as examples.

13.2.4     Outline the wide range of diversity in the animal kingdom as exemplified by movement in earthworm, swimming in a bony fish, flying in a bird, walking in arthropods.