INTRODUCTION TO TAXONOMY

For SCIENCE Grade 8

Quarter 4 / Week 4

1
 FOREWORD

This self – learning kit will serve as a guide for

grade 8 students in understanding on the concept of
species of organisms. They shall identify what are the
characteristics shared by all species of organisms, discover
when did these diverse species emerge, identify what
species exhibit similarities and differences in characters,
and name the limitations of each species. Moreover, the
second part of this learning kit This self – learning kit will
enable to demonstrate an understanding on determining
the categories of classifying organisms using the
hierarchical taxonomic system and give the importance of
giving scientific names, and recognize its importance.

With this learning kit, the students will gain

knowledge in the preparation of classifying organisms
using the hierarchical taxonomic system

2
 LESSON
INTRODUCTION TO SPECIES
1
OBJECTIVES

K: Explain the concept of species and their characteristics.

S: Identify the similarities and differences exhibited by
species in terms of characters and limitations.
A: Recognize the importance of species existence regardless
of their differences and limitations.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

Explain the concept of a species. (S8LT-IVg-19)

I. WHAT HAPPENED
PRE-ACTIVITIES/PRE-TEST
DIRECTIONS: Look at the pictures below and answer
the following questions. Do this in your notebook.

1. Which among the pictures depict the concept of

species? Explain your answer. (5pts.)
2. Likewise, which among the pictures depict
biodiversity and why? Explain your answer. (5 pts.)

A B

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/356/6335/258 mentalflos.com
3
C D

Pinterest.com cosmopolitan.com

E F

Biologydictionary.com Biologydictionary.com

II.WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is coined from the words, biological diversity. Usually,

scientists would refer to three levels of biodiversity namely: different
kinds of organisms (species diversity), genetic information that
organisms contain (genetic diversity) and different kinds of places
where organisms live and the interconnections that bind these
organisms together (ecosystem diversity)

a. Species diversity consists of the large number and all different

kinds, shapes, colors and sizes of organisms that inhabit the
Earth. It includes the smallest and the simplest bacterium (pl.
4
 bacteria) to the complex, bigger, brightly colored flower or fish.
Add to this the carabao, the tallest acacia, the biggest
elephant and a human like you. These organisms are found in
various places from the soil, to the rivers, oceans, forests, salty
or hot places, in short in every corner of the Earth. Some of
them even live in your body.
b. Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics
in the genetic makeup of a species, it ranges widely from the
number of species to differences within species and can be
attributed to the span of survival for a species.
c. Ecosystem diversity deals with the variations in ecosystems
within a geographical location and its overall impact on
human existence and the environment.

Socratic.org

BIOLOGICAL SPECIES

study.com

5
EXAMPLES OF SPECIES

Dogs and Wolves

Still other animals, like dogs and wolves, are still technically the same
species. While they have the same number of chromosomes and could
technically breed, the domestic dog has come a long way from its wild
counterpart. Dogs have not only evolved to be cuddlier and soft, but are
attuned to human social cues. Wolves operate in a much different social
structure. As such, the two are very unlikely to breed in the real world.
However, because they can create fertile offspring, scientists consider them
the same species.

Dog - Canis familiaris Wolf - Canis lup

medicalnewstoday.com latimes.com

Polar bears and Grizzlies

Oftentimes the only barrier to reproduction is geographic, or based on the
physical location of the animals. If this changes, the animals can interbreed, and may
merge into one species. This is currently being seen in the wild in polar bears and grizzly
bears. As the climate changes, polar bears are forced further south, and must start
exploiting different food sources. The change in climate also allows grizzly bears to
venture further north, encountering polar bears along the way. The previously
separated populations now have a chance to breed, and sometimes they are
successful. Hybrids have been seen in the wild, but it is not yet known if they hybrids will
be successful.

Grizlie Bear - Ursus arctos horribilis Polar Bear - Ursus maritimus

nationalgeographic.com polarbearsinternational.orG

6
 WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS SHARED BY ALL
SPECIES?

• All living things whether plants and animals are made up of cells.
• Some organisms are unicellular and multicellular.
• Having the same cellular structures, organisms share common
functions.
• These organisms process matter and harness energy so they can
survive, grow, repair themselves, reproduce, and adapt to their
continually changing environment.

Pinterest.com

7
Enrichment Activity:

DIRECTIONS: Answer the activity in your notebook

You may use biology books or surf the internet for
assistance.

1) It is a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable

of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

2) Name 3 examples of plant species.

3) Name 2 examples of animal species.

4) Identify what are the following species of organisms:

A) catus
B) sapiens
C) lupus
D) leo
E) familiaris

WHEN DID THESE DIVERSE SPECIES EMERGE?

Ancient-code.com

8
 The earth is estimated to be about 4.5 to 5 billion years old.
For more than a billion years, there was not a single living thing on
earth. Fossil records show that life may have begun some:
a. 3.8 million years ago in the form of primitive one celled
organisms. They are much like heterotrophic, anaerobic and
asexually reproducing bacteria that exist today.
b. 2.8 billion years ago some of these bacteria developed the
ability to manufacture pigments. As photosynthetic bacteria
they produce their organic food and released oxygen in the
air.
c. Fossils of multicellular animals appeared in rocks dated 1
billion years old.
d. The first multicellular land plants appeared about 400 million
years while the first land animals, the arthropods emerged
from the sea soon after. A transition from purely aquatic life-
forms into terrestrial organism.
e. While our human species, Homo sapiens which is believed to
have originated in Africa 200,000 years ago.
f. Fully modern human called Cro-Magnons only appeared
90,000 years ago.

SPECIES EXHIBIT SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN

CHARACTERS

Libretext.co

9
 If all of us come from a common ancestor, how did we
develop into millions of different species? Why do we differ from
each other?
It is in the matter of Evolution, Variation, Speciation and
Phylogeny
Evolution - is change in the heritable characteristics of
biological populations over successive generations. These
characteristics are the expressions of genes that are passed on
from parent to offspring during reproduction. Different
characteristics tend to exist within any given population as a result
of mutation, genetic recombination and other sources of genetic
variation.
Variation, in biology, any difference between cells, individual
organisms, or groups of organisms of any species caused either by
genetic differences (genotypic variation) or by the effect of
environmental factors on the expression of the genetic potentials
(phenotypic variation). Variation may be shown in physical
appearance, metabolism, fertility, mode of reproduction,
behavior, learning and mental ability, and other obvious or
measurable characters.
Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations
evolve to become distinct species. The biologist Orator F.
Cook coined the term in 1906 for cladogenesis, the splitting of
lineages, as opposed to anagenesis, phyletic evolution within
lineages. Charles Darwin was the first to describe the role
of natural selection in speciation in his 1859 book On the Origin of
Species.
Phylogeny, the history of the evolution of a species or group,
especially in reference to lines of descent and relationships among
broad groups of organisms.

LIMITS OF SPECIES

All species have limits of tolerance to abiotic factors. Too

much or too little of anything can lower their survival
and reproductive success and cause reduced fitness.
10
1. Changes in temperature resulting from global warming, for
example, may cause a species to change its
geographical distribution northward.
2. Precipitation can also be a key determinant in limiting the
geographic range edges of species. This is often seen in
organisms with high water demands, whose survival and
reproduction is limited by dry conditions.
3. Moisture in the soil can also put limits on the distribution of
an organism. There are many other abiotic factors that
can determine a species range, including dissolved
oxygen, conductivity, alkalinity and pH.
4. Mutation - the changing of the structure of a gene,
resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to
subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single
base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or
rearrangement of larger sections of genes or
chromosomes.

11
III.WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Below is a crossword puzzle which answers include all the

concepts of species from biodiversity down to its limits. Test your
ability by answering this puzzle. The clues are found on the next
page. (15pts)

12
Across

3. in biology, any difference between cells, individual organisms, or

groups of organisms of any species
5. diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the
genetic makeup of a species.
8. animals and plant that contain millions of cells.
9. diversity consists of the large number and all different kinds,
shapes, colors and sizes of organisms that inhabit the Earth.
11. bacteria produce their own food.

Down

1. animals with one cell.

2. is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to
become distinct species.
4. is change in the heritable characteristics of biological
populations over successive generations.
6. deals with the variations in ecosystems within a geographical
location and its overall impact on human existence and the
environment.
7. the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that
may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of
single base units in DNA,
8. in the soil can also put limits on the distribution of an organism
10. of multicellular organisms appeared in rocks 1 billion years ago.
11. the history of the evolution of a species or group, especially in
reference to lines of descent and relationships among broad
groups of organism.
12. Changes in __________ resulting from global warming, for
example, may cause a species to change its geographical
distribution northward.
13. all living things whether plants and animals are made up of this
basic unit of life.

13
SYNOPSIS

This student learning kit deals with the

concept of species, to identify what
are the characteristics shared by all
species, discover when did these
diverse species emerge, identify what
species exhibit similarities and 7.
differences in characters, a name the
limits of species.

14
 LESSON
TAXONOMY AND ITS COMPONENTS
2
OBJECTIVE:

K: Determine the categories of classifying organisms

S: Classify organisms using the hierarchical taxonomic
system
A: Recognize the importance of classifying organisms using
the hierarchical taxonomic system.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

The learners should be able to classify organisms using the

hierarchical taxonomic system. (S8LT-IV-20)

I. WHAT HAPPENED

Do Keep Personal
Computer Open
For Great Surfing!!!

dreamstime.com

15
PRE-ASSESSMENT

A. DIRECTIONS: Arrange the following scrambled letter to form a

term related to the environment. Write your answer in the
notebook.

1.Group of related species 5. Scientific name was created to avoid

SGNEU CNONIOSUF
_____________________ _____________________________
2.One or more group(s) of 6.Consist of several related classes
natural populations wherein MULYPH
individuals Interbreed and are __________________________
isolated from other groups 7.Consist of several related genera
SEPCESI (singular: genus)
______________________ IFYAML
3.Science that deals with _______________________________
naming, describing, identifying, 8.Consist of several related families
and classifying organisms ROERDR
ATOMXNOY _________________________
______________________ 9. it includes Bacteria, Archaea and
4.Level of classification Eukaria NDMOIA
consisting of smaller groups __________________________________
called phyla 10.Is given for any organism identified
INKGODM CSICFIIETNC EAMN
______________________ ____________________________
B. DIRECTIONS: Refer to Biology Books and surf the internet to
complete the table by filling in the blanks with the correct terms.
Copy and answer the table in your notebook.

Level Housefly Cat Dog Human

Domain 1._________ 6. ______ 11.________ 16._______
Kingdom 2.________ 7._______ 12.________ 17._______
Phylum 3.______ 8.______ 13.________ Chordata
Class 4._____ 9._______ 14.________ 18._______
Order Diptera Carnivora Carnivora Primates
Family Muscidae Felidae Canidae Hominidae
Genus 5._______ 10.______ 15._________ 19._______
Species Musca domistica Felis catus Canis familiaris 20._______

16
II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION

Taxonomy The science that deals with the

nomenclature of organisms
and is probably one of oldest of
all biological disciplines

Naming Describing Identifying Classifying

“Our prehistoric ancestors needed to give names to plant and

animals and described how they looked so that they can tell each
other which can be used for food, shelter, medicine or as tools and
weapons.”

Smithsonian.com

Biological classification is therefore primarily for the

convenience of those who compile information about the
17
numerous organisms on this planet as well as those who look for
such information. Before biologists can classify organisms,
however, they must assign a name to each of them. The name
provides the key to a whole set of information compiled about the
organism.

Why do we use scientific names?

If Then
• Common names do not • To avoid CONFUSION,
indicate how organism are scientist all over the world
related or classified. agreed to refer to organisms
• Common names can be by their scientific name.
• The scientific name of a
misleading.
species is composed of two
• Organism with more than one
Latin words. First word the
common name can lead to genus and the second word
CONFUSION. is the species epithet.
Example: • Taxonomist use Latin
because it is a dead
Coconut = English language. Hence, it no
Coco / Cocotera = Spanish longer evolves and the
Niyog = Tagalog meaning and spelling of
Lubi = Bisaya
Latin words do not change
Ngongol = Pampango
through the years.
Iing = Itneg
Inyog = Ibanag Example:

Grouper = Engish Cocos nucifera = Coconut

Lapu – lapu = Tagalog
18
Kugtong = Bisaya
Pogapo = Palawan Cromoleptes altivelis = Lapu - lapu
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

A. DIRECTIONS: Read and answer following questions

carefully. Write your answers in the notebook.

Situation:
You work in a drugstore and you are tasked to arrange the
medicines on their proper shelves. But since you are not feeling well and it is
closing time already, you just place the medicines anywhere on the vacant
space on the shelves.

1. What do you think will happen if the medicines are not properly
arranged or classified?
2. Cite situations or give examples where classifying and organizing things
are important?
3. In relation to our lesson, why is there a need to have a system of
classifying and naming things?
4. Is the process of classifying and naming things important and
applicable to organisms? Why?

B. Sample classification of organism

Category Domesti Dog Bangus Wolf Lion

cated
Cat
Kingdom Animalia Animalia Animalia Animalia Animalia
Phylum Chordata Chordata Chordata Chordata Chordata
Class Mammali Mammalia Actinopterygii Mammalia Mammalia
a
Order Carnivora Carnivora Gonorynchiform Carnivora Carnivora
is
Family Felidae Canidae Chanidae Canidae Felidae
Genus Felis Canis Chanos Canis Panthera
Species Felis Canis Chanos chanos Canis Panthera leo
catus familiaris lupus

DIRECTIONS: Briefly answer the following questions. Refer

to the table above. Write your answers in the notebook.
1. Which organisms in the Table above are similar up to the Order
category?
2. Which organisms are most closely related? Why do you say so?
3. Can a dog and a wolf produce fertile offspring? Explain your answer.

19
How do we classify organism?

We can classify organisms into the categories from the highest level down to
the lowest level based on the taxon to which they belong. The so – called
“levels of classification” refer to the categories:

Do Keep Personal Computer Open For Great

Surfing in taxonomy literaly mean Domain,
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus
and Species!!!!

dreamsline.com

20
 Domain refers to the largest of
all groups in the classification of life.
There are currently 3 agreed groups
at this level,
the Archaea domain, Bacteria domai
n, and Eukarya domain. Each
domain contains a collection of
organisms with similar properties and
evolutionary histories, as scientists
have organized them.
course.lumenlearing.com

In biology, kingdom is a taxonomic

rank that is composed of smaller groups
called phyla or divisions, in plant Organisms
are placed into these categories based on
similarities or common characteristics. Some
of the characteristics that are used to
determine placement are cell type, nutrient
acquisition, and reproduction. The two main
cell types are prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells. Common types of nutrient acquisition
include photosynthesis, absorption, and
Steamism.com
ingestion. Types of reproduction
include asexual reproduction and sexual
reproduction.

Phylum is a taxonomic ranking

that comes third in the hierarchy of
classification,after domain and
kingdom. Organisms in a phylum share
a set a characteristics that distinguishes
them from organisms in another
phylum. The qualities that group
animals into a phylum have changed
throughout scientific history, as better
methods have arisen to determine how
groups of animals are related.

Quantamagazine.org

21
 Class is a taxonomic group
comprised of organisms that share a
common attribute. It is further divided into
one or more orders. In biological
classification of organisms, a class is a
major taxonomic rank below
the phylum (or division) and above
the order.
For example, class Mammalia belongs
to phylum Chordata. Class Mammalia is
comprised of various orders such
as Chiroptera (bats), Primates (apes)

exploringnature.org

Order a taxonomic rank

used in classifying organisms
generally below the class and
comprised of families sharing a set
of similar nature of character. For
instance, class mammalia includes
order Chriptera (bats) Order
Primate (primates, and order
Carnivora (meat eating mammals)

Pinterest.com

Family Felidae

Family - A taxonomic group of

one or more genera, especially
sharing a common attribute.
Organisms belonging to the
same family would have evolved
from the same ancestors and
share relatively common
worldpress.com characteristics.
22
 Biological genus is
defined as a taxonomic rank
comprised of species with
common attributes. It includes
group(s) of species that are
structurally similar or
phylogenetically related. The
term genus was borrowed
from Latin. It means
“birth”, descent, “origin”,
“sort”, or “type”. The plural
form is genera. Thus, the
meaning of genera pertains to
more than one genus as most
taxonomic families are
comprised of several genera. Slideplayer.com

Synonym: generic name.

Species is the most basic unit

or category in the biological
classification of organisms, it tells us
that a species is an individual
capable of mating with another of
the same kind to
produce fertile offspring.
Based on this principle,
individuals at the species level must
not only be capable of mating
with one another but they must
also be capable of producing
fertile offspring. This could be
limiting if one would consider
Pinterest.com prehistoric and already extinct
organisms.

23
Who was the person behind all of these?

Britanica.com

Carolus Linnaeus (or Carl von Linné) was born on May 23 1707, and
died on January 10 1778. He was a Swedish scientist who laid the foundations
for the modern scheme of taxonomy. As a boy Linnaeus was to be groomed
for life as a churchman, as his father and maternal grandfather were, but he
showed little enthusiasm for the profession. His interest in botany, though,
impressed a physician from his town and he was sent to study at the university
of Lund, transferring to Uppsala after a year.

During this time Linnaeus became convinced that in the stamens and
pistils of flowers lay the basis for the classification of plants, and he wrote a
short work on the subject that earned him the postion of adjunct professor. In
1732 the Academy of Sciences at Uppsala financed his expedition to explore
Lapland, then virtually unknown. The result of this was the Flora
Laponica published in 1737.Thereafter Linnaeus moved to the continent.
While in the Netherlands he met Jan Frederik Gronovius and showed him a
draft of his work on taxonomy, the Systema Naturae . In it, the unwieldy
descriptions used previously - physalis amno ramosissime ramis angulosis
glabris foliis dentoserratis - were replaced by the concise and now familiar
genus-species names - Physalis angulata - and higher taxa were constructed
in a simple and orderly manner.

24
 III.WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

POST-TEST

A. DIRECTIONS: Below is a crossword puzzle which answers include

all the concepts of taxonomy. Test your ability by answering this
puzzle. The clues are found on the next page. (10pts)

ACROSS

4. The science that deals with the nomenclature of organisms

5. is a taxonomic rank that is composed of smaller groups called
phyla or divisions
7. Taxonomist use _______ language because it is a dead
language and it no longer evloves.
9. Our prehistoric _____ needed to name plants and animals for
their own survival.
10. a taxonomic rank used in classifying organisms generally below
the class and c
11. refers to the largest of all groups in the classification of life.

25
DOWN
1. classification is therefore primarily for the convenience of those
who compile information about the numerous organisms on this
planet as well as those who look for such information.
2. A sample of nomenclature.
3. Organism with more than one common name can lead to
_________________.
6. __________Mammalia = Mammals
8. Cocos __________ = coconut

B. Enumeration
DIRECTIONS: Give the answer to the following
question. Write your answers in the notebook.

1. Name the 8 classification of organisms in Order.

(8pts)

2. Name at least 2 works of taxonomy. (2pts)

26
REFERENCES

Books:

Department of Education (2013) Science - Grade 8 Learner’s Module First

Edition, 2nd Floor Dorm G, Philsports Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig
City, Philippines. 1600

Vibal Publishing House (2003) Science and Technology Series, Functional

Biology, Modular Approach. Vibal Publishing House, 1253, G. Araneta
Ave., Quezon City

Websites
biologyexsms4u.com

Britanica.com

course.lumenlearing.com

dreamstime.com

exploringnature.org

Pinterest.com

quantamagazine.org

Slideplayer.com

Steamism.com

27
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, EdD, PhD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS - Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

JUSTIN PAUL ARSENIO C. KINAMOT, MAEd

Writer
KEENJI L. ARMENTANO
Lay-out Artist
_____________________________
ALPHA QA
MA. ALETTA AARONA R. GAJELOMO
JUSTIN PAUL ARSENIO C. KINAMOT
MIEL C. PACULANANG
PETER PAUL A. PATRON
LYN-NO A. REGALADO

BETA QA
LIEZEL A. AGOR
JOAN Y. BUBULI
LIELIN A. DE LA CERNA
PETER PAUL A. PATRON
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning
modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully
researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly
instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright
and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

28
SYNOPSIS
This student
learning kit deals the
categories of
classifying organisms,
classify organism using
the hierarchical
taxonomic system,
and give the
importance of using
scientific names, and
recognize the
importance of
classifying organisms
using the hierarchical
taxonomic system. This
lesson is in line with the
latest Most Essential
Learning Competency
prepared by our
department for this
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
pandemic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author: JUSTIN PAUL ARSENIO C.KINAMOT, MAEd Gen. Sci. A
graduate of Bachelor in Secondary Education major in General
Science from St. Paul University Dumaguete in 2004. He has finished
his Graduate Studies from Foundation University with the degree
Master of Arts in Education Major in General Science in 2014 and has
recently Completed his Academic Requirement of Doctor of Education
major in Science Education at Negros Oriental State University.. A
consistent writer for Unified Lesson Plans and Modules in Science for
the Department of Education, Division of Negros Oriental and the
current focal person for Biology Subject. A teacher III, presently
connected at Crisostomo O. Retes National High School having an
advisory in Grade 8.
29