Using similarities and differences between living organisms they can be classified into groups
Simple classifications
Based on visible characteristics: such as number of legs, number of body parts, number of wings, presence or absence of antennae, hairiness, shape etc.
Scientific classifications
Use internal structures, developmental patterns, life cycles and electron microscopic techniques
Use the molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to assist in grouping organisms; the greater the similarity in their DNA structure, the more closely related are the organisms
5 major groups of life forms
Triple P FA
Prokaryotes (bacteria)
Protoctists (algae, protozoan)
Plants
Fungi (moulds, yeasts, mushrooms)
Animals
Dichotomous key
A tool that allows classification of organisms by following a series of questions in steps which lead to the name of the organism
All living organisms are similar in some ways
There are two ways to distinguish between a monocotyledon and a dicotyledon
Characteristics of insects
Characteristics of fish
The three organisms are plants or animals
The three organisms share three visible characteristics
The three organisms all belong to the same group
Organism B is different to the other two organisms
