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Introduction to the lesson
Until quite recently, all living organisms were divided into one of two kingdoms - either plant or animal. With the development of technology, scientists have been able to study living organisms in more details, especially at the cellular level. Scientists now divide all living organisms into five kingdoms. In this lesson, you will explore the characteristics of the five kingdoms and discover why two kingdoms was not enough.
Review of past lesson
Before you begin with the lesson, review
- the seven characteristics of all living things
- the classification stages from kingdom to species
- all the terms and definitions you have written in your biology reference book.
Preparing for the lesson
Think about the following questions as you start this lesson
- What do you think are the five kingdoms?
- What do you think are the characteristics of each kingdom? (Jot down your ideas, so that you can compare your ideas with the list the Coursebook gives).
- Why do you think there needed to be more kingdoms than just plants and animals?
- Do you think there needs to be more than five kingdoms? Why or why not?
The kingdoms of living organisms
Read section 1.3 “The Kingdoms of living organisms” p.6-8 in your Biology Coursebook.
This section is a summary of what you should have learned in your previous study of biology.
Learning Activity 1: Animals
Think through the following questions:
- Do you think it is easier to classify an animal than a plant? Why or why not?
- What do you think is the main difference between plants and animals? (Hint: Think of their food!)
Answer the following questions in your exercise book:
- List the characteristics of the animal kingdom.
- What are the two main groups of animals? (Hint: Think of their bone structure!)
Learning Activity 2: Plants
Think through the following questions:
- What characteristics do you think of when you think of a plant?
- How would you classify plants?
Answer the following questions in your exercise book:
- There are two major groups of plants- seed producing plants and non-flowering / spore bearing plants. The seed producing plants can be divided into two groups:
- What is the scientific name given to plants that reproduce by seeds formed in the ovaries of flowers?
- What is the scientific name given to plants that reproduce by seeds formed in cones?
- What are the common structural parts of a flowering plant?
- What causes all plants to be green?
- What does this pigment do and why?
- List the characteristics of the plant kingdom.
Learning Activity 3
In your exercise book, answer Question 1.2 and 1.3 on page 7 of the Coursebook
Learning Activity 4: Fungi
Think through the following questions:
- Why do you think fungi are neither plant nor animal?
- How do fungi feed that is different from plants and animals? (If you do not know the answer to this question, research it either on the internet or in other biology books).
Answer the following questions in your exercise book:
- List some uses of fungi to mankind.
- What harm can fungi do?
- What can't fungi photosynthesis?
- How do fungi feed?
- How do fungi reproduce?
- List the characteristics of the fungi kingdom.
Investigating fungi
Bread mold
Study the bread mold you have been growing, You will need a hand lens (magnifying glass) to see the parts more clearly.
Can you identify the following parts: sporangium, aerial hypha. feeding hypha? (See Figure 1.6 on p,7 to help you with your identification).
Draw a diagram of the fungi growing on the bread. See p.13 of the Coursebook to see how to make a biological drawing.
Mushroom
Using disposable gloves, observe the mushroom. (It is very important that you wear gloves when handling mushrooms because they can be very poisonous, unless they were bought at a grocery shop.)
Can you identify the cap, the gills and the mycelium (these will be absent on most shop bought mushrooms).
Make a biological drawing of the mushroom you are observing. See p.13 of the Coursebook to see how to make a biological drawing. Label your diagram.
Learning Activity 5: Protoctista
Think through the following questions:
- Why do you think Protoctista are classified in their own kingdom instead of being classified as either plant or animal?
- What is the main difference between Protoctista and Prokaryotes?
Answer the following question in your exercise book
- List the characteristics of the Protoctista kingdom.
- Study the diagrams in Figure 1.7 on p.8. Copy the diagram and label your drawing. Keep these drawings in your exercise book. You can compare them to the plant and animal cell when you learn about them in chapter 2.
Learning Activity 6: Prokaryotes
Think through the following questions:
- Why do you think Prokaryotes are classified in their own kingdom, instead of being classified as either plant or animal?
- What is the most important difference between bacteria cells and cells of plants, animals, fungi and protoctista?
Answer the following question in your exercise book:
- List the characteristics of the Prokaryotes.
- Study the diagrams in Figure 1.8. Copy the diagram of the cross section of the bacterium Escherichia coli and label your drawing.
- Compare the internal structure of the Paramecium and Escherichia coli. What is different between the two cells? What is the same?
Mark your work. The answers to Questions 1.2 and 1.3 are on p.318. LINK to other answer sheet
Make a mind map or write a summary of this section. This will be an important part of your exam revision.
Common misunderstandings and misconceptions
Some students use the word 'animal' to mean 'mammal'. Remember, biology is a science and you must use the correct and precise scientific term.
Closing the lesson
- What new things did you learn in this lesson?
- What did you already know?
- Are you confused about anything? Ask your parent or teacher to help you.