What Is It

• Domain - The largest category into which organisms are classified.
• Kingdom - The taxonomic rank after domain.
• Phylum - Consists of different classes. Each class has several orders, and each order has different families.
• Family - Consists of several genera, with each genus being composed of the smallest group of various species.
• Species - A group of organisms that can reproduce.
• Archaea Domain: Kingdom Archaebacteria - Organisms of this kingdom are all microscopic, meaning we cannot see them with our unaided eyes.
• Bacteria Domain: Kingdom Eubacteria - Unicellular and microscopic.
• Domain Eukarya - Consists of organisms that have a true nucleus and structures called organelles that are surrounded with by membranes.
• Kingdom Protists - Come from unrelated ancestors thus, this grouping is referred to by biologists as an artificial grouping.
• Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Fungi - Are eukaryotic, non-vascular, non-motile, and heterotrophic organisms.
• Domain Eukarya: Kingdom Plantae - They are multicellular and because they have chlorophyll, they can make their own food.
• Gymnosperms - These are seed plants composed of those which bear seeds contained in cones and those inside a protective layer of tissue.
• Angiosperms - They are also called flowering plants since flowers, as well as fruits, are involved in their reproduction and development.
• Eukarya Domain: Kingdom Animalia - Animals are divided in two major groups, the invertebrates and vertebrates.
• Invertebrates - Those that do not posses a vertebal column or backbone.
• Vertebrates - Those where vertebral column or backbone is present.
• Invertebrates: Sponges - They live in shallow and deep oceans.
• Invertebrates: Cnidarians - Consists of animals whose tentacles contain stinging cells called nematocysts.
• Invertebrates: Flatworms - As their names suggest, they are flat and ribbonlike organisms.
• Invertebrates: Roundworms - Have long, cylindrical, and slender bodies.
• Roundworm - Has a complete digestive system, which includes both a mouth and an anus.
• Invertebrates: Segmented Worms - These worms are characterized by a segmented or repeated body parts which enable them to move easily with flexibility.
• Invertebrates: Mollusks - They have complex respiratory, reproductive, circulatory, digestive, and excretory systems functioning together for their survival.
• Invertebrates: Echinoderms - They are recognizable by their pentrameric radial symmetry.
• Invertebrates: Anthropods - They have segmented bodies with a head, a thorax, and abnomen segments.
• Vertebrates: Chordates - Have four characteristics that are present in any stages in their life cycles. These are the notochord, the dorsal hollow nerve cord, gill slits, and a post-anal tail.
• Fishes - Can be classified Class Osteichthyes or Class Chondricthyes.
• Amphibians - Refers to cold-blooded animals that live part in water and part on land, from which amphibians got their name.
• Reptiles - Include cold-blooded animals that exhibit more adapatations for living on land.
• Birds - Belong to Class Aves, and most are adapted to fly.
• Mammals - Differ from other animals because they have mammary glands that produce milk to nourish their young and most have hair or fur.