- Classification: Technique in which organisms of similar characteristics are grouped together. Classification is done on factors like body designs, mode of nutrition, cell structure, etc.
- Evolution: Modification of characteristics in an organism to adjust in its surrounding is called as evolution.
- Primitive organisms or lower organisms: Organisms before evolution.
- Advanced organisms or higher organisms: Organisms after evolution
- Nomenclature of organisms / Deriving scientific name:
- Must have genus and species
- Genus must start with capital letter
- Species must start with small letter
- Scientific Name must be printed in italic and written by hand with underline below genus and species
Common name Genus Species Scientific name (Printed) Scientific name (Handwritten) Banyan tree Ficus bengalensis Ficus bengalensis Ficus bengalensis Housefly Musca domestica Musca domestica Musca domestica - Five Kingdom Classification System:
Kingdom Characteristics Examples Monera - Unicellular organisms
- May or may not contain a cell wall
- Cytoplasm contains only ribosomes
- Cell organelles like Nucleus, mitochondria, etc are absent
- Autotrophic or heterotrophic mode of nutrition
Anabaena, Blue green bacteria, etc Protista - Unicellular and eukaryotic organisms
- Cell organelles like Nucleus, mitochondria, lysosomes, etc are present
- Some organisms may show cilia or flagella
- Autotrophic or heterotrophic mode of nutrition
Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena, etc. Fungi - Unicellular and multicellular eukaryotic organisms
- Heterotrophic mode of nutrition
Penicillium, Agaricus, etc. Plantae - Multicellular eukaryotic organisms
- Autotrophic mode of nutrition
All plants Animalia - Multicellular eukaryotic organisms
- Heterotrophic mode of nutrition
Humans, animals, birds, insects, etc. - Kingdom Plantae:
Division Characteristics Examples Thallophyta - Do not have well differentiated body (root, stems and leaves are absent)
- Are aquatic plants
- Well known as algae
Spirogyra, chara, ulva, cladophora, etc Bryophyta - Contain stem and leaf like structures
- Rhizoids are present
- Water is conducted by process of diffusion
Funaria, Marchantia, etc Pteridophyta - Contains roots, stems and leaves
- Vascular tissues [xylem and phloem] allows conduction of water
Marsilea, ferns, etc Gymnosperms - Flowers and fruits are absent
- Outer covering of seed is absent
- Evergreen, woody and perennial [Live for more than 2 years]
Pine, Deodar, Cycas, etc Angiosperms - Flowers and fruits are present
- Contains seeds
- Can be monocot [one cotyledon] or dicot [two cotyledon]
Jowar, Maize, Groundnut, Sunflower - Difference between monocot and dicot plants:
Monocot Plants Dicot Plants Have one cotyledon Have two cotyledon Roots are fibrous Shows taproot Leaves shows parallel venation Leaves shows reticulate venation Petals in flower are three or in multiples of three Petals in flower are four or five or in multiples of four or five Example : Jowar, Maize, Wheat, Coconut,etc Example: Pea, Gram, Groundnut, Sunflower, Water Lily, etc. - Kingdom Animalia:
Phylum Characteristics Examples Porifera - Have spongy body, attached to solid support, posses holes over body
- Less differentiation and division into tissue
- Are marine animals
- Well known as sponges
Euplectella, Sycon, Spongilla, etc. Coelenterata - Are present in various body designs
- Body contains cavity
- Live in groups or independently
Hydra, Jellyfish, Sea Anemone, etc. Platyhelminthes - Bilaterally symmetrical
- Triploblastic
- Body appears flattened
- Are free living or parasites (Live on other organism and extract nutrition from their body)
Planaria, Liver Flukes, etc. Nematoda - Bilaterally symmetrical
- Triploblastic
- Cylindrical body
- Body do not have specific organs
- Contains pseudocoelom (small cavity)
Hookworms, Tapeworms, Pinworms, etc. Annelida - Bilaterally symmetrical
- Triploblastic
- Body cavity is present
- Show segmentation
- Live in freshwater and land
Earthworm, Leeches, Redworm, etc. Arthropoda - Bilaterally symmetrical
- Open circulatory system
- Coelomic cavity is filled with blood
- Have jointed legs
Prawns, Butterfly, Housefly, Spiders, Cockroach, Bee, etc. Mollusca - Bilaterally symmetrical and soft body
- Less coelomic cavity
- Less segments
- Open circulatory system
- May contain shell
- Found in land and water
Pila, Octopus, Unio, Chiton, etc. Echinodermata - Contains coelomic cavity
- Thorny skin
- Contains water driven tubes (allow movement)
- Are marine animals
Starfish, Sea urchin, Sea cucumbers, etc. Protochordates - Possess notochord
- Notochord separates stomach from nerve chord
- Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, have coelom
Balanoglossus, Amphioxus, Lancelet, etc. - Kingdom Animalia- Phylum Vertebrata: Are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomic and segmented with different tissues and organs. Here is short explanation of classes of phylum vertebrata.
Class Characteristics Examples Pisces - Streamlined body
- Skin is covered with scales
- Heart has two chambers
- Gills are used for breathing
- Are cold blooded (cannot maintain their constant body temperature with respect to surrounding)
- Lay eggs
- Body structure is made of bone or cartilage
Sea horse, Scoliodon, Rohu, etc Amphibia - Three chambered heart
- Contains mucus gland inside skin
- Skin and lungs are responsible for breathing
- Lays eggs under water
- Can survive on water and land
Frog, Toad, Salamander, etc Reptilia - Have scales on skin
- Breathe through lungs
- Cold blooded
- Heart is three chambered [except crocodile]
- Lay eggs on land
Snakes, Turtles, Lizards, Crocodiles, etc. Aves - Warm blooded [maintain the constant body temperature, if temperature of surrounding is changed]
- Have feathers and wings
- Breathing is done through lungs
- Lay eggs
Parrot, Pigeon, Ostrich, etc. Mammalia - Have mammary glands
- Skin have hairs, sweat glands and oil glands
- Give birth to young one [except platypus]
Humans, Cats, Dogs, Whales, etc




