Unit 3: Biodiversity

Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen

3.1- Organisms and their Classification

What is biodiversity?
y y y y The wide variety of organisms on earth. You can see it everywhere- local parks, forests, mountaintops and deep down in the oceans. Scientists estimate that there are about 10 to 100 million kinds of organisms living on earth. Of these, only less than 2 million kinds of organisms are identified.

Photo 1: A few types of organisms living in the Malayan rainforest: (a) Tapir (Animal) (b)Rafflesia (Plant) Question: Why are there so many different organisms on this planet? Answer : Wide range of climates and habitats on Earth. Different organisms have different characteristics

Classification of organisms
o o o o o o o Due to the variety of organisms on earth, scientists found to sort these organisms into groups. Sorting organisms into groups is called classification. As new organisms are discovered, new characteristics are used in classifying these organisms. As a result, the classification system has gone through some changes over the years. In the classification system used today, organisms are classified into five major groups called kingdoms. They are animals, plants, fungi (moulds), bacteria and very simple organisms. The two major kingdoms are animals and plants.

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Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen
Classification of animals

Animals

Vertebrates (with backbones)

Invertebrates (without backbones)

Amphibians

Fish

Birds

Mammals

Reptiles

     

Scientists so far identified more than 1 million animals. Animals are divided into two main groups: those with backbones and those without. Animals with backbones are called vertebrates. Animals without backbones are called invertebrates. Invertebrates account for more than 90% of the world s animal species. This group include insects (such as grasshoppers), spiders, crabs, prawns, worms and mollusks (such as snails)

Spider

Molluscs

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Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen

Grasshopper

Prawn

Crab

Earthworm

Photo 2: Some examples of common invertebrates  Vertebrates and invertebrates are further classified into smaller groups

Amphibians Cold-blooded animals Live both on land and in water Most amphibian adults live on land The eggs are fertilized outside the female s body (external fertilization) The young live in water and breathe through their gills. The adults breathe with the lungs while on land and through their skin when in water. The adults have loose and moist skin.

Prepared by Stanley Yeo Kai Sen | Copyright Stan Corporations 2011

Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen

Toad Photo 3: Examples of amphibians Fish      

Salamander

Have bodies that are well adapted for life under water Their skin is covered with hard and slimy scales for protection. They have fins and tails to swim. They absorb dissolved oxygen in the water through their gills. Most of them lay eggs that are fertilized outside their bodies. This means that their body temperature changes with the surrounding temperature.

Goldfish Photo 4: Examples of fish Birds 4    

Porcupine fish

The only animals with feathers. They have beaks and wings but not all can fly. Breathe with their lungs. Warm-blooded.

Prepared by Stanley Yeo Kai Sen | Copyright Stan Corporations 2011

Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen  Their body temperature remains constant and does not changewith the environment.  Their eggs, which are fertilized immediately (internal fertilization), have hard shells and are laid in their nests.

Pigeon Photo 5: Examples of birds Mammals

Parrot

 Warm-blooded animals whose bodies are covered with hair or fur.  Their eggs are fertilized internally and their young develop inside the female body.  All mammals except the duck-billed platypus and the spiny anteater give birth to live young.  Their young feed on milk from the mother s mammary glands.  Breathe with their lungs.  Includes those living in the water such as dolphins and whales

Orangutan

Elephant

Photo 6: Examples of mammals

Prepared by Stanley Yeo Kai Sen | Copyright Stan Corporations 2011

Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen Reptiles (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Many reptiles live on land. All reptiles have hard dry scales to protect their bodies. They breathe with their lungs and are cold-blooded animals. Reptile eggs are fertilized inside the female body. The eggs are tough, leathery shells to prevent them from drying out.

Snake Photo 7: Examples of reptiles

Tortoise

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Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen
Classification of plants

Plants

Flowering

Non-flowering

Monocotyledons

Dicotyledons

Conifers

Ferns

Mosses

Algae

Flowering plants Monocotyledons: 1) Have fibrous roots 2) Their leaves have parallel veins 3) Mostly herbaceous plants. 4) Do not have woody stems 5) Their seeds have one cotyledon 6) Examples: Grasses, sugar cane 7

Prepared by Stanley Yeo Kai Sen | Copyright Stan Corporations 2011

Unit 3: Biodiversity
Science Form 2 Stanley Yeo Kai Sen

Grasses

Sugar Cane

Photo 8: Examples of monocotyledons Dicotyledons I. II. III. IV. V. Have tap roots Their leaves have a network of veins They are trees, shrubs or herbaceous plants Their seeds have two cotyledons Examples: Sunflower, hibiscus

Hibiscus

Sunflower

Photo 9: Examples of dicotyledons Flowering plants A. Produce flowers for reproduction B. Flowers produce fruits and seeds C. The seeds germinate and grow into new plants Non-flowering plants 8 a) Conifers include pine trees and casuarinas trees. b) Ferns and mosses reproduce through spores. They grow mainly in deep places. c) Phytoplankton and seaweeds are examples of algae. Prepared by Stanley Yeo Kai Sen | Copyright Stan Corporations 2011

           
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Unit 3: Biodi

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To protect and manage habitats To educate people To use animals plants land and water wisely To protect threatened species

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