3 | Life on earth
4: The study of present-day organisms increases our understanding of past organisms and environments
Lesson 1 | Why classify?
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Explain the need for scientists to classify organisms
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Describe the selection criteria used in different classification systems and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system
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Explain how levels of organisation in a hierarchical system assist classification
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Describe the main features of the binomial system in naming organisms and relate these to the concepts of genus and species
Lesson 2 | Changes in classification system
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Describe the selection criteria used in different classification systems and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system
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Discuss using examples, the impact of changes in technology on the development and revision of biological classification systems
Lesson 3 | Dichotomous keys
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Perform a first-hand investigation and gather information to construct and use simple dichotomous keys and show how that can be used to identify a range of plants and animals using live and preserved specimens, photographs or diagrams of plants and animals
Lesson 4 | Classifying present and past life
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Identify and discuss the difficulties experienced in classifying extinct organisms
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Explain how classification of organisms can assist in developing an understanding of present and past life on Earth
