BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOMS
MONERACharacteristics:
ProkaryoticUnicellular or colonialAutotrophic or heterotrophicMicroscopic
PROTISTACharacteristics:
Unicellular or colonialAutotrophic or hetertrophicEukaryotic
FUNGICharacteristics:
Unicellualar or multicellularSaprophytic or parasiticEukaryotic
PLANTAECharacteristics:
MulticellularAutotrophicEukaryotic
ANIMALIACharacteristics:
MulticellularHeterotrophicEukaryotic
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOMS: FUNGICharacteristics:
Unicellular or multicellularSaprophytic or parasiticEukaryotic
DIVISION MYXOMYCOTACharacteristics:
Fungus-like but with protist-like stagesLarge with plasmodial stages
Nutrition:Saprophytic
Life cycle:Alternation of generations
Common names:Slime mold
DIVISION ASCOMYCOTACharacteristics:
Sac-like reproductive structures
Nutrition:Saprophytic or parasitic
Life cycle:Asexual - budding
Common names:Sac fungiYeast
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOMS: FUNGI
DIVISION BASIDIOMYCOTACharacteristics:
Reproductive structures form club (mushroom)-like fruiting bodies
Nutrition:Some parasitic, mostly saprobes
Life cycle:Varies
Common names:Puffballs, mushrooms
DIVISION ZYGOMYCOTACharacteristics:
Have rhizoids & hyphae
Nutrition:Mostly saprobes
Life cycle:Sexual & asexual
Common names:Common bread mold
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: PLANTAECharacteristics:
EukaryoticMulticellularAutotrophic
DIVISION PHAEOPHYTA – Brown algaeCharacteristics:
Color caused by fucoxanthansMostly marineMay have “air” bladders and holdfasts“Kelp”
DIVISION CHLOROPHYTA – Green algaeCharacteristics:
Color caused by chlorophyllFilamentous or sheet-like
DIVISION BRYOPHYTA – Mosses or liverwortsCharacteristics:
AmphibiousNo true “roots”No true “stems”
DIVISION CONIFEROPHYTA – Cone bearing non-flowering plantsCharacteristics:
Needle-like leavesNo fruit enclosed seedsCones
DIVISION ANGIOSPERMOPHYTA – Flowering plantsCharacteristics:
Sex organs in flowers
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIACharacteristics:
MulticellularHeterotrophicEukaryotic
PHYLUM PORIFERACharacteristics:Two layersAquaticReproduce asexually and sexually
Body symmetry: Asymmetry
Habitat:Aquatic
Feeding method:Filter feeder
Common names:Sponges
PHYLUM CNIDARIACharacteristics:AquaticTwo cell layersPolyps and medusae
Body symmetry:Radial
Habitat:Aquatic
Feeding method:Tentacles with nematocysts capture food and move it to mouth
Common names:Jellyfish, hydra, anemone
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM PLATYHELMENTHESCharacteristics:FlatwormsThree layers of cellsBilateral symmetry
Class TurbellariaCharacteristics:Free-living
Feeding method:One-way digestive system with pharynx
Common names:Planaria
Class TrematodaCharacteristics:Parasitic
Feeding method:One-way digestive system
Common names:Fluke
Class CestodaCharacteristics:Sectioned bodyNo digestive system
Feeding method:Absorb host food
Common names:Tapeworm
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM NEMATODACharacteristics:Body cavityTwo-way digestive system
Body symmetry:Bilateral
Habitat:Most free-livingSome parasitic
Feeding method:One-way digestive system
Common names:Roundworm
PHYLUM ANNELIDACharacteristics:Has coelomSegmentationAdvanced organ systemMost have setae
Body symmetry:Bilateral
Habitat:Terrestrial and aquatic
Feeding method:One-way digestive system
Common names:Earthworm, leech
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM MOLLUSCACharacteristics:Mostly marineMost have a shellVery advance organ system
Class GastropodaCharacteristics:One shell, only terrestrial mollusk
Habitat:Mostly aquatic, some terrestrial
Common names:Snail
Class PelecypodaCharacteristics:Two shells No distinct head section
Habitat:Aquatic
Common names:Scallop, clam, mussel
Class CephalopodaCharacteristics:Very advance nerve system,
Method of movement:“Jet” propulsion with siphon
Common names:Squid, octopus, nautilus
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM ECHINODERMATACharacteristics:Endoskeleton, “spiny” skinWater-vascular systemMost have tube feetNo circulatory, respiratory, or excretory systemsNervous system but no brain
Body symmetry:Pentamerous radial symmetry
Habitat:Marine
Method of movement:Water-pump system with tube feet
Common names:Sea urchin, starfish, basket star
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM ARTHROPODACharacteristics:Exoskeleton made of chitin, must molt to growJointed appendagesSegmented bodyVentral nervous system, open circulatory system, specialized sensory receptors
Class ArachnidaCharacteristics:Two major body sectionsSilk production, terrestrialBody plan:Two major body sectionsEight legs
Common names:Spiders
Class CrustaceaCharacteristics:Single body section
Habitat:Aquatic (mostly)
Body plan:Single body section (carapace)
Common names:Crab, lobster, pill bug, sow bug, barnacles
Class InsectaCharacteristics:Largest class, breath through spiracles
HabitatTerrestrial
Body plan:Three sections with six legs
Common names:Insects
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIAPHYLUM CHORDATA
Characteristics:A notochord or dorsal rod of specialized cellsA dorsal nerve cordPharyngeal pouches
SUBPHYLUM UROCHORDATACharacteristics:Non-moving, solitary or colonialFilter feeders
Common names: Sea squirts
SUBPHYLUM CEPHALOCHORDATACharacteristics:Marine dwellingFilter feeders
Common names: Lancet, amphioxus
SUBPHYLUM VERTABRATACharacteristics:Have bones or cartilage surrounding the dorsal nerve cord
Common names: Any organism with a backbone
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIAPHYLUM CHORDATA
CLASS CONDRICHTHYESCharacteristic:Skeleton of cartilageMostly marineHas placoid scales
Number of chambers in the heart: 2
Adaptations:Saltwater: Have special mechanisms for excreting excess salt
Freshwater: Excretes excess water
Common names:Sharks, rays, skates
CLASS OSTEICHTHYESCharacteristic:Bony internal skeletonScaly skin, Fins
Number of chambers in the heart: 2
Adaptations:Saltwater: See above
Freshwater: See above
Common names: Fish, fishy, red fish, blue fish, one fish, two fish
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIAPHYLUM CHORDATA
CLASS AMPHIBIACharacteristic: Change from aquatic larval stage to terrestrialMoist, smooth skin with no scales, Feet (if present) webbedUse gills, lungs, skin, in respiration, Larvae have 2 chamber hearts/adults 3Eggs lack membrane or shell, fertilized externallyCold blooded
Number of chambers in the heart: 2 in larvae/3 in adult
Adaptations: Behavioral=burying in mud to stay at correct temp.HibernationLay eggs in or near water
Common names for order:Anura: Frogs and toads
Urodela: Salamanders and others with tails
Common names: Frogs, toads, salamanders, newts
CLASS REPTILIACharacteristic: Aminote eggWaterproof skinSpecially modified feet, Specialized circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systemsExothermic
Number of chambers in the heart: Mostly 3, alligators and crocodiles have 4
Adaptations: Aminote egg, internal fertilization, dry body with scales, limbs for movement
Common names for order:Squamata: Lizards and snakes
Chelonia: Turtles
Common names:Biology
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIAPHYLUM CHORDATA
CLASS AVESCharacteristic: Body covered with feathers, Bones thin and hollowMost winged for flight, Two hind limbs for support, Beak, 4 chamber heartAmniote eggs with hard shell, Most incubate shell in nestEndothermic
Number of chambers in the heart: 4
Adaptations: EndothermicHard shellHollow, light bonesFlight
Common names:
CLASS MAMMALIACharacteristic: Endothermic, Hair, 4 chambers in heartA muscle to help breath (diaphragm)Single jawbone and four different types of teethViviparous, Mammary glands for milk secretionWell-developed brain
Number of chambers in the heart: 4
Adaptations: See above
Common names:
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BIOLOGYCLASSIFICATION GUIDE
KINGDOM: ANIMALIAPHYLUM CHORDATACLASS: MAMMALIA
Characteristics: Endothermic, Hair, 4 chambers in heartA muscle to help breath (diaphragm)Single jawbone and four different types of teethViviparous, Mammary glands for milk secretionWell-developed brain
Characteristics of order:Rodnetia: Only two incisors in jaw
Common names: Rodents, rats, mice
Chiroptera: Modified forelimb with membrane for flightEcho location
Common names: Bats
Carnivora: Long canine teeth, strong jaws, clawed toesUsually have good sense of smell and sight
Common names: Dogs, cats, lions and tiger and bears, oh my!
Artiodactyla: Hoofed animals with even number of toes
Common names: Deer, elk, bison, moose, cows, sheep, goats, pigs
Primates: Omnivores, Complex brain
Common names: Donnie, Rylee, Kevin, Roxanne, Alina, Matt, AmandaTania, Melissa, Frank, David, Ape, Tarzan, Chimp
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