Diversity of Life – Chapter 3 – BC Science 6
classification systems
Ways of grouping things based on
similarities. Things that are like each other
in some ways are in a group together.
kingdom
The largest groups of types of organism. For
example, all plants belong to the Kingdom
Plantae.
species
The most specific classification of an
organism. Organisms of the same species can
mate and make babies like themselves.
bacteria
Unicellular micro-organisms. A bacteria cell
does not have a nucleus. “True” bacteria lives
all around us (soil, air, water) and inside us!
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Ancient bacteria
Unicellular organisms that can survive in
extreme environments, often without oxygen.
protista
The kingdom with the biggest variety.
Protista can be unicellular or multicellular.
They usually live in wet environments. Some
make their own food using photosynthesis,
others catch food. Some are microscopic,
others are large.
plantae
The kingdom that includes flowers, grasses,
trees and mosses. All plants are multicellular and use photosynthesis to make food.
fungi
The kingdom of organisms that get their
food by absorbing it from other organisms.
Most are multi-cellular, some unicellular.
Includes mushrooms and moulds.
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animalia
The kingdom of “animals”. These organisms
are multi-cellular. Cells have a nucleus, but
not a rigid cell wall. They can’t make food;
they have to eat plants or animals. They
move easily to find food and mate.
vertebrates
Animals with spines (backbones). Most have 2
sets of limbs (fins, arms or legs).
invertebrates
Animals that do not have backbones or any
other bones. Most are small.
fish
A class of vertebrates that lives in water,
has skeletons of bone or cartilage, and gills
to gather oxygen from water.
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amphibians
A class of vertebrates. Most live in water
when young, and on land as adults. Born with
gills, use lungs and skin to breathe as adults.
They have smooth skin, bony skeletons, and
lay their eggs in water.
reptiles
A class of vertebrates. They live in water
and/or on land. They have scales on dry skin,
and bony skeletons. Most lay soft-shelled
eggs on land.
birds
A class of vertebrates. Most can fly, have
feathers, jaws, and skeletons of hollow
bones. Birds live on land, and lay hard-shelled
eggs.
Mammals
A class of vertebrates. Live on land or in
water, have hair or fur on skin, jaws and bony
skeletons. Most give birth to live young.
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