TOPIC 1: CHARACTERISTICS & CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS

What are the characteristics needed List the main features inside the cells of all living Analyse the differences between traditional and modern
for something to be a ‘living organism’ organisms and state their function: methods of classifying organisms
(MRS GREN)? Describe each
FEATURE FUNCTION
•Movement – moving position TRADITIONAL MODERN
•Respiration – producing energy Cytoplasm Where many chemical reactions
occur Based on: Based on similarities in
•Sensitivity – responding to the
environment sequences of bases in
Cell Act as barrier & control what Morphology - external DNA and amino acids in
Membrane moves in and out of the cell features proteins
•Growth – gaining size
DNA As genetic material to control cell Anatomy - internal More accurate
•Reproduction – producing offspring activities & development structures (e.g. bones)
•Excretion – producing waste Organisms with more
Ribosomes For protein synthesis recent ancestors have
•Nutrition – obtaining nutrients
more similar DNA base
sequences
Enzymes To assist respiration

State what is meant by the term

species:
What are dichotomous keys?
A group of organisms that can
reproduce to produce fertile offspring Branched or numbered keys to identify living
organisms

Create a dichotomous key to distinguish between

What is the binomial system? fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds

Internationally agreed system of naming

organisms based on genus and species

KEY WORDS: ASSESSMENT:

Describe the rules for naming organisms
Binomial System
Genus name first (with capital); Species Species
name second (lowercase). In italics if Classification
typed or printed. E.g. Homo sapiens Morphology
DNA sequence
Dichotomous Key
 TOPIC 1: CHARACTERISTICS & CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS
List the different groups of living organisms? What are pathogens & what groups can they be Give an example of disease caused by each
Animals, Plants, Fungi. Bacteria, Protoctists from? Bacteria = Pneumococcus → Pneumonia
Organisms that cause disease. Can be fungi, Protoctist → Paramecium → malaria
bacteria, protoctists or viruses Virus = HIV → causes AIDS

Complete the table

Single or Do they have a

Group How do they get nutrition? Do they have a cell wall? Give 2 examples
multicellular? nucleus?

Plants M Autotrophs → use photosynthesis Y (cellulose) Y Maize, beans

Animals M Heterotrophs → eat other organisms N Y Humans, mosquitos

Saprotrophs → digest decaying

Fungi Both Y (Chitin) Y Mucor, Yeast
matter

Secrete enzymes onto food source

Bacteria S Y N Pneumoccocus, Lactobacillus
OR photosynthesise

Can be autotrophs, heterotrophs or

Protoctists S Some Y Amoeba, Paramecium
saprotrophs!

Viruses S Take over a host cell N N Influenza, HIV

Give 3 ways viruses differ to bacteria KEY WORDS: ASSESSMENT:

Viruses: Pathogen
● Have a protein coat rather than a cell wall Virus
● Are smaller than bacteria Protoctist
● Have no cell membrane or cytoplasm Fungi
● Only reproduce in living host cells Bacteria/Prokaryote
 TOPIC 1: CHARACTERISTICS & CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS
What is the difference between
vertebrates and invertebrates? GROUP KEY FEATURES EXAMPLES

Vertebrates have a backbone, Myriapods Long, segmented bodies not divided into regions Centipedes, millipedes
invertebrates do not.
3 parts - head, thorax & abdomen; 3 pairs of legs; 1 pair
What are arthropods? Insects Beetles, bees, ants
antennae; compound eyes; waterproof outer cuticle
Large phylum of organisms with
segmented bodies, jointed legs, & an
external skeleton 2 parts - cephalothorax and abdomen; 4 pairs of legs; no
Arachnids Spiders, scorpions, ticks
wings; many pairs of simple eyes; fangs; some weave webs

What are the main groups of plants? 2 parts - cephalothorax & abdomen; chalky exoskeleton; 2
Crustaceans Crabs, shrimps, lobsters
● Ferns pairs of antennae; compound eyes; gills; most live in water
● Angiosperms

Describe the key features of ferns GROUP KEY FEATURES EXAMPLES

● Leaves called fronds Hair or fur; milk from mammary glands, lungs; homeothermic
Mammals Human, dolphin, bat
● Do not produce flowers (warm blooded); internal fertilisation; internal development
● Reproduce using spores
● Have roots, stems & leaves Feathers; wings, beaks, homeothermic (warm-blooded); internal
Birds Eagle, penguin, hawk
fertilisation; external development

Draw and identify the key features of

Reptiles Dry scaly skin, lay eggs with leathery, waterproof shells; lungs Snakes, turtles
angiosperms

Smooth, moist skin; breed in water; external fertilisation; gills

Amphibians Frogs, salamanders
as tadpoles & lungs as adults

Fish Live in water; fins; gills; scales Tuna, shark, hering

What are the differences between monocotyledons KEY WORDS: ASSESSMENT:

and dicotyledons? Arthropods
Angiosperms
Dicots → 2 cotyledons, broad leaves with branching Monocotyledon
veins, flower parts in multiples of 4 or 5 Dicotyledon
Monocots → 1 cotyledon in the seed, leaves with Invertebrates
parallel veins, flower parts in multiples of 3 Vertebrates