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What Is It?
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One of the organisms you may
identify in "What Is It?" |
In Session 2, the focus was on a systematic approach to
classifying living things. “What Is It?” is meant to engage
you in classifying the organisms in your TerrAqua Column using the strategy
for classifying into Domains and Kingdoms that was introduced in the
video. In addition, you’ll be able to classify further in the plant
and animal kingdoms.
What you’ll be using are “dichotomous
keys,” which
are used everyday by scientists to identify unknown organisms. Dichotomous
keys involve “decision points” about an organism, where
you have two choices. Each “decision” takes you further
in classification. While the organisms in your TerrAqua Column may
not be unknown to you,
What Is It? will provide good experience in classification.
Materials Required
Instructions
- Observe the organisms in
your TerrAqua Column, including those that you introduced and any
that are “newcomers.”
- Using
your What Is It? Data Sheet (PDF), carefully describe the distinguishing
features of each organism.
- Use the Dichotomous
Keys (PDF)
to classify each organism. Base each “decision
point” on your descriptions and what you may already know
about each organism.
Activity Questions
- What characteristics of cells can be used
to classify organisms into domains and kingdoms?
- What are the domains
and kingdoms explored in Session 2: Classifying Living Things?
- What
features are used to classify organisms into each domain? Each kingdom?
- Which Domains are represented in your TerrAqua Column? Which kingdoms?
- Within the plant kingdom, which divisions are represented?
- Within
the animal kingdom, which phyla are represented?
- How many different
types of organisms live in your aquatic habitat? Your terrestrial
habitat?
- What can you conclude about diversity in your TerrAqua
Column?
SHARE YOUR RESULTS: What Is It?
TRACK OUR PROGRESS: What Is It?
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