Understanding Classification
Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Kingdoms and Plant Classification
Dichotomous keys
100

What is classification in science?

Grouping organisms based on shared characteristics

100

What is the main difference between vertebrates and invertebrates?

Presence of a backbone

100

Which kingdom contains mushrooms?

a) Animalia

b) Plantae

c) Fungi

d) Protista

c. fungi

100

Why is a dichotomous key called "dichotomous"?

a) It identifies only animals

b) It classifies plants only

c) It uses diagrams only

d) It provides two choices at each step

d. It provides two choices at each step

200

The levels of taxonomy are also know by what name:

a. Linnaean classification system

b. Binomial classification system

c. Kingdoms

a. Linnaean classification system

200

Name the five major vertebrate groups.

Mammals, fish, birds, reptiles & amphibians

200

What characteristic do all plants share?

a) They hunt for food.

b) They have feathers.

c) They make their own food through photosynthesis.

d) They are unicellular.

c) They make their own food through photosynthesis.

200

Name one type of dichotomous key

Branching or tabular

300

Which two levels make up the scientific name of an organism?

Genus & species

300

An animal has six legs, an exoskeleton, and three body parts. Which group does it belong to?

Invertebrates

300

Explain what spores are?

A spore is a small reproductive cell produced by some plants, fungi, and algae that can develop into a new organism under the right conditions.

300

When using a dichotomous key, what should you do first?

a) Guess the organism's name

b) Look up the answer

c) Observe the organism's characteristics

d) Count how many organisms are present

c) Observe the organism's characteristics

400

Name the 7 characteristics of living things using the acronym: MR N GREWW

Move

Reproduce

Nutrition

Grow

Exchange gases

Wastes

Water

400
  1. Which feature do all mammals have?

a) Feathers

b) Gills

c) Fur or hair

d) Scales

c. fur/hair

400

Which group of plants reproduces using spores?

a) Flowering plants

b) Ferns

c) Conifers

d) Grasses

b. ferns

400

What is a dichotomous key used for?

A dichotomous key is a tool used to identify organisms based on their characteristics.

500

List the 7 levels of classification in the correct order

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

500

List 3 features of reptiles

Any of these: Cold blooded, scales, most lay eggs, breathe air, internal fertilisation

500

Explain 2 differences between monocots and dicots

Any two of:

  • Seed leaves (cotyledons):

    • Monocots = 1
    • Dicots = 2

  • Leaf veins:

    • Monocots = Parallel veins
    • Dicots = Net-like (branching) veins

  • Flower parts:

    • Monocots = Multiples of 3
    • Dicots = Multiples of 4 or 5

  • Root system:

    • Monocots = Fibrous roots
    • Dicots = Taproot
500

Name 3 examples of characteristics to avoid when creating a dichotomous key.

Any 3 of:

  • Size (small/large) → organisms grow and change size.
  • Weight → varies with age and health.
  • Colour → may change with seasons, age, or environment.
  • Age (young/old) → changes throughout the life cycle.
  • Height → changes as organisms grow.
  • Number of leaves → can vary throughout the year.
  • Presence of flowers → flowering plants only flower at certain times.
  • Behaviour (active/sleeping) → changes depending on conditions.
  • Location (found in water/on land) → some organisms move between habitats.
  • Amount of fur or feathers → can change through moulting or seasonal adaptations.
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