Tennessee SPI Objective:

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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Notes
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective Use a simple
classification key to identify an unknown
organism.
Instructions for Students 1) Make sure you view
this presentation in slideshow mode. 2) If you
need help, please communicate with your teacher.
3) You can also find tutorial videos about this
on YouTube.
Essential Learning Students will identify unknown
organisms using classification keys.
Essential Question How do I interpret and use the
information in a classification key to identify
an unknown organism?
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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
Classification and Classification Keys

• Before we examine classification keys, it is
  helpful to first study some general
  classification concepts.

Starting with
Taxonomy

• Taxonomy is the science of defining, naming, and
  classifying organisms.

• Organisms are classified according to similar
  physical and genetic characteristics.

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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
Modern Taxonomy

• 8 levels of classification
• Categories go from broad to narrow
• 1) Domain
• 2) Kingdom
• 3) Phylum
• 4) Class
• 5) Order
• 6) Family
• 7) Genus
• 8) Species

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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
8-Level Classification System

• Categories go from broad to narrow

• Example Where is Rock Springs Middle School?
• 1) The Universe
• 2) Milky Way Galaxy
• 3) Planet Earth
• 4) Northern Hemisphere
• 5) North America
• 6) The United States of America
• 7) Tennessee
• 8) Smyrna

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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
Memory Trick 01
Did

• 1) Domain
• 2) Kingdom
• 3) Phylum
• 4) Class
• 5) Order
• 6) Family
• 7) Genus
• 8) Species

King
Phillip
Come
Over
From
Great
Spain?
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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
Memory Trick 02
Donkey

• 1) Domain
• 2) Kingdom
• 3) Phylum
• 4) Class
• 5) Order
• 6) Family
• 7) Genus
• 8) Species

Kong
Puts
Children
On
Flying
Giant
Squirrels
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Classification Criteria
SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes

• In taxonomy organisms are classified according
  to similar physical and genetic characteristics.

Example 01 At the Domain level -organisms are
classified according to whether or not their
cell(s) contains a nucleus.
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Classification Criteria
SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes

• In taxonomy organisms are classified according
  to similar physical and genetic characteristics.

Example 02 At the Class level -organisms are
grouped according to similar physical
characteristics.
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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
Binomial nomenclature

• Around 1735 Carolus Linnaeus created a two-part
  naming system called binomial nomenclature.

Note In Latin bi means two and nomial means
name

• Uses the last 2 classification levels (Genus and
  Species) to name an organism.

Example Human Beings Genus _________ Species
__________
Homo
Sapiens
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SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Science
Notes
8-Level Classification System
Example Human Beings (Homo Sapiens) 1) Domain
Eukarya 2) Kingdom Animalia 3)
Phylum Chordata 4) Class
Mammalia 5) Order Primates
6) Family Hominoidia
7) Genus Homo

• Binomial Nomeclature
• 2 part naming system

8) Species Sapiens
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• Classification Keys
• scientists use these keys to help them identify
  organisms

Dichototmous Keys Includes paired descriptive
statements to identify organisms
1st Statement
2nd Statement
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• Classification Keys
• scientists use these keys to help them identify
  organisms

Classification Tables -has columns and rows with
information
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• Classification Keys
• scientists use these keys to help them identify
  organisms

Flow Chart Keys -design is similar to a concept
map, lines branch off from given traits
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• Classification Keys
• scientists use these keys to help them identify
  organisms

SPI 0807.5.1 Classification Keys
Notes
Science
Branch Diagram -looks similar to a tree branch,
listed traits apply to all those organisms that
come after
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Review Questions Classification General
Concepts
1) What is taxonomy? (slide 2)
2) What is binomial nomenclature? (slides 9
10)
3) What are the 8 levels of classification?
(slides 3, 5, 6)
4) Which 2 levels are used for scientific
names? (slide 9)
5) What is the scientific name for humans?
(slides 9 10)
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Review What kind of classification key is this?
Flow Chart Key
Dichotomous Key
Classification Table
Branch Diagram