Classifying organisms using a classification key | Science

Starter quiz

Which classification level has groups called ‘Animals’, ‘Plants’ and ‘Fungi’?
- genus
- kingdom ✓
- species
A species is a group of organisms which …
- share few similarities with each other.
- can reproduce to produce fertile offspring. ✓
- have a backbone.
The frog (*Rana temporaria*) and toad (*Bufo bufo*) are both animals. Which statement correctly describes the difference between?
- They are both different species. ✓
- They are both from the same genus.
- They are both from a different kingdom.
Starting with the largest, sort these groups into order of size.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  animal
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  reptile
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  snake
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  python
Which option shows the correct way to format the binomial name for this mushroom?
- *Amanita muscaria* ✓
- Amanita muscaria
- *amanita muscaria*
- amanita muscaria
Match the classification level with the name of the daisy (*Bellis perennis*).
- kingdom
  
  ⇔
  
  plant ✓
- genus
  
  ⇔
  
  *Bellis* ✓
- species
  
  ⇔
  
  *perennis* ✓

Match the animal to its correct classification class.
- cod
  
  ⇔
  
  fish ✓
- elephant
  
  ⇔
  
  mammal ✓
- newt
  
  ⇔
  
  amphibian ✓
- cobra
  
  ⇔
  
  reptile ✓
Select the classification level which will have the greatest number of organisms with the most differences between them.
- phylum ✓
- class
- genus
- species
Taxonomy is the practice of:
- Identification
- Classification ✓
- Organisation
We can use a ______ to accurately put organisms into groups based on questions about their characteristics.
- 'classification key' ✓
Use the classification key to classify a dolphin.
- bird
- mammal ✓
- fish
Which student offers a reason why we classify organisms?
- Lucas: "Classification keys can be made electronic for use in the field."
- Alex: "Classification is quick and simple."
- Izzy: "Classification makes sense of biodiversity." ✓

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A classification key can be used to find out which groups organisms are classified into.
A classification key is a series of questions about the features of organisms.
Classification helps us organise and make sense of biodiversity.

Animals are misclassified based on features that have been incorrectly interpreted, such as wings.

Animals which are often misclassified are included as explicit examples, such as bat, whale and penguin.

Taxonomy - The practice of classifying.
Classification - The process of sorting things into groups.
Classification key - A series of questions about the features of organisms that help us to classify them correctly.