Grade+9+1.2+Classification

=WEEK 2: CLASSIFICATION AND TAXONOMY=

Below is a short film viewed in class about the creator of the currently used system for the classification of living organisms, Carolus Linnaeus. (His real name was Carl von Linne, but he changed it to the Latin version so that it would make him seem more ´important´).

[|Short History of Linnaeus] media type="custom" key="23626346" align="center"

[|Linnaeus and Modern Taxonomy] media type="custom" key="23626358" The power-point seen in class is available below:

[|A work in progress]



A summary of some of the information made available in class is given below.



You can practice sorting vertebrates at the following website:
 * [|Classification Activity Online] **

The Linnaean system was organised by examining the physical and behavioural characteristics of living organisms. This can be a long and difficult process. Some tools such as the dichotomous key help us to identify individuals from large groups of similar creatures. You should make sure that you are aware of how to use such tools. Have a go at the following activity:



The task of classifying all the living organisms on the planet is a massive proposal that some believe will require at least another 1000 years to complete. The latest estimate is that there are around 8.7 million species, of which only 1.2 million have been officially classified. You can read about it in the report below.

[|BBC news report]

All of these creatures have adaptations which allow them to survive within their environment. These adaptations are varied and some can be seen in the actual body shapes of the organisms themselves ( the presence of gills and a streamlined body in fish, wings in birds and flying insects etc). Body shape (physical characteristics) determines to a great extent what actions an animal can or cannot do and were seen as an obvious choice for deciding on how to classify living things into similar groups. Here are some videos that will show you some of the more unusual abilities that some animals have for attack and defence.

Weird Nature (BBC) Fantastic feeding: media type="vimeo" key="40283889" height="480" width="640"

Weird Nature (BBC) Devious Defences:

media type="vimeo" key="162611784" height="360" width="640"