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Classifying Living Things

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Classifying Living Things

Use observable features to classify organisms. Read each question carefully and answer in the space provided.

Observing and classifying

Scientists classify organisms by comparing features that can be observed, such as body coverings, structures and ways of reproducing. Kiwi and snapper are both vertebrates. Vertebrates have backbones.

1.Name one feature that the kiwi and the snapper have in common, and one feature that is different.

2.You are sorting a fern, a bird and a fish. Which question would most clearly separate the fern from the two animals?

Does it have leaves?
Does it have feathers?
Does it have a backbone?
Does it have fins?

3.Choose the accurate statement about vertebrates.

Every animal is a vertebrate.
A vertebrate has a backbone.
Plants have backbones.
Only fish have backbones.

4.Select all features that can help scientists classify living things.

Whether an animal has a backbone
The organism’s body covering
The organism’s name
How it reproduces

Using a dichotomous key

Follow the paired choices in order. At each step, choose the description that matches the organism. 1a. Has leaves → Plant 1b. Does not have leaves → go to 2 2a. Has feathers → Bird 2b. Does not have feathers → go to 3 3a. Has gills and fins → Fish 3b. Has fur and four legs → Mammal

5.Use the key above. A silver fern has leaves and no feathers. Which group does it belong to?

6.Use the key above. A kiwi has feathers and no leaves. Which group does it belong to?

7.Use the key above. A snapper has gills and fins, but no feathers or leaves. Which group does it belong to?

8.A kiwi has feathers and no leaves. Using the key above, explain which feature you checked and how it led to the group name.

9.In one sentence, define the term vertebrate.

10.Make a two-step dichotomous key to separate a tūī, a possum and a cabbage tree. Give two paired choices, with each organism ending in its correct group.