Classification of Living Things Key Stage 3 Science

Classification of Living Things Key Stage 3 Science

What is classification? • Classifying things means putting them into groups. • At school we classify our students. We put you into the class we think is best for you. • We can classify objects – by what colour they are or what they are made of. • We classify all living things to help us understand them.

Kingdoms • There are 6 Kingdoms. • Every living thing belongs to a Kingdom. • Archaebacteria, Eubacteria and Protists are microorganisms – you need a microscope to see them. • We will look at the 3 Kingdoms that are easier to see.

The Plant Kingdom • All plants from tiny moss to huge trees. • All plants can make food from sunlight and water. • This is called photosynthesis. • Plants are mostly made of a strong material called cellulose. • Plants don’t have nerves or brains.

The Animal Kingdom • All animals from ants to blue whales. • Animals can’t make their own food so need to eat. • Animals don’t have cellulose so many need a skeleton. • Animals have nerves and many have brains.

The Fungi Kingdom • Some are tiny and we need a microscope to see them. • Some are bigger like mushrooms and toadstools. • They are not plants and can’t make their own food. • They get food from decaying (rotting) living things – like dead leaves. • They don’t have nerves or brains.

Animals and Skeletons • Some animals have soft bodies with no hard parts e. g. jelly fish, earthworms and slugs. • Some have hard parts on the outside like shellfish and insects. • Some have a bony skeleton inside their bodies like humans.

Vertebrates • Humans are vertebrates. • Vertebrates have a skeleton made of bones inside their bodies. • Vertebrates have a back bone or spine. • This is not one bone. It is made of lots of bones called vertebrae. • There are many nerves along the spine that connect the brain to the rest of the body.

5 Vertebrate Classes • All vertebrates belong to one of these 5 groups called classes.

Fish • Live in water all their lives. • Breathe by getting oxygen from the water with gills. • Most have scales. • Most lay eggs. • Are “cold blooded” – they cannot control their body temperature.

Amphibians • Live on land in water. • Lay eggs in water • Have larvae that live in water e. g. tadpoles. • Adults can live on land e. g. frogs and toads. • Breathe through their skin so skin needs to be wet. • Are cold blooded.

Reptiles • Most live on land. • Most lay eggs. • They breathe air with lungs. • They have scales. • They are cold blooded.

Birds • Live on land. • Breathe air with lungs. • Most can fly. • All lay eggs. • Have feathers. • Have beaks. • Have 2 legs and 2 wings. • Are “warm blooded” - they keep their bodies at a constant temperature.

Mammals • Most live on land. • Breathe air with lungs. • Almost all give birth and don’t lay eggs – (Only 2 egg laying mammals) • Feed their babies milk from mammary glands. • Have fur or hair. • Have 4 limbs – arms and legs. • Are warm blooded. • Humans are mammals.

Activities • Do one of the worksheets. • Go on a wildlife hunt in your garden or near your house. Look for plants, animals and fungi. Are the animals you find vertebrates or invertebrates? • Watch the BBC programme “Primates” on I-Player to learn about our closest relatives. • What is your favourite animals? Which class does it belong to? Make a poster, leaflet or Power. Point presentation to tell people about your favourite animal. • Do some research and find out more about warm blooded and cold blooded animals. What does this mean and what are the advantages and disadvantages of warm and cold blood?