resume organisation of

living things

The organization of living things can be seen like a pyramid or tree with seven
major levels or categories: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus,
Species.
There is a simple pneumonic that can help students remember the organization of
nature: Kangaroos Play Cellos, Orangutans Fiddle, Gorillas Sing.

If we take a Ring-tailed Lemur, we can trace it through the hierarchy of nature,

taxonomy as follows, it belongs to:
The Animal …Kingdom
sharing with all other members of this group the need to feed on organic matter
(unlike plants which can create energy using light and minerals)
The Chordate (or vertebrate) … Phylum
sharing with all other members of this group of animals, a back bone with a hollow
nerve chord
The Mammal … Class
sharing with all other members of this group of vertebrates, the ability to feed
their offspring on milk and having a body covering which includes fur
The Primate … Order
Sharing with all other members of this group of mammals, a thumb that can be
opposed to the other digits, binocular vision and various more broadly defined
characteristics (including high intelligence, relatively long maturation period for
the young, dental similarities, tendency for complex social organization, and
generally bearing one or two young)
The Lemuridae … Family
Sharing with other members of this group of primates, a slightly longer nose,
smaller brain, long slender limbs, a tail, more specific dental features including the
grooming comb formed by the lower incisor and canine teeth
The Lemur … Genus
Sharing with other members of this group of lemurs, scent marking methods,
vocalizations, aspects of social structure and overall body shape
The Ring-tailed Lemur … Species
A species is the primary unit of biological classification or taxonomy. Species
members share a basic genetic similarity and can interbreed and produce viable or
fertile offspring.

It is important to be aware, when exploring the field of taxonomy, that as is true

in many branches of science, it is always changing and evolving. As our knowledge
deepens and our tools for investigation become more precise there are often
shifts and changes in how we describe an animal from a taxonomic point of view. A
classic case can be seen with Pandas. When first described by European scientists
they were classified as bears or ursids… a family of carnivores (order) in the
mammal class of vertebrate animals. Then for a few decades, scientists thought
that they weren’t bears and placed them, still within the carnivore order… but in a
family closer to raccoons. In the last fifteen years, after further study and aided
by the new science of gene mapping, pandas have been returned to the bear
family… an unusual case of an older view being (at least for now) correct after all.
If you choose to explore taxonomy with your students it is wise to avoid too many
absolutes and to encourage a questioning environment in your discussions.

Indri (Indri Indri)

The largest living prosimian, Indris live in northeast Madagascar in coastal and
mountain rainforests. They are diurnal and arboreal.

Indris are almost tailless, have a dense coat of varying colours (often black and
white), with a black hairless face.

Indris have distinctive howling vocalizations, which they use to define territory.

Size:

Body length, 2 ½ feet

Weight, 15-16 lbs.

Life Cycle:

Weaning, 9 months

Sexual maturity, unknown

Life span, unknown

Reproduction:

Gestation Period, 150 days

Young /birth, 1

Birth season, May-June

Diet:

Leaves, flowers, fruits and buds of various plants

Predators:

Birds of prey, fossas

Social Structure:

Sometime solitary, more often live in groups of 3-6 individuals

Territory Size:

30-75 acres

Conservation Status: Endangered with extinction

Aye Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

Aye Ayes are the rarest and perhaps the most unusual of all the lemur species. In
fact, they are believed to be the most diversely evolved primate in the world.
They are nocturnal arboreal primates now living in only two small areas of
Madagascar, one on the northeast coast, one on the northwest coast. Aye Ayes
have long, dark, coarse fur and, a characteristic very long thin middle finger,
which they use for grooming and more importantly for digging for insect larva in
crevices and under the barks of trees.

Size:

Body Length, 18 inches

Weight, 4 ½ lbs.

Life Cycle:

Weaning, approx. 1 year

Sexual maturity, 3 years

Life Span, 23 years (recorded in captivity)

Reproduction:

Gestation Period, unknown

Young/birth, 1 per year

Birth Season, November

Diet:

Insect larva, fruit

Predators:

Fossas

Social Structure:

Solitary or small groups

Territory Size:
12-13 acres

Conservation Status:

Endangered

Lesser Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)

This lemur is the smallest of all the primates. Nocturnal, or crepuscular and
arboreal, they have thick body hair but cannot completely regulate their own body
temperature. Therefore, in colder weather they enter a state called torpor… a
condition like hibernation.

Size:

Body Length, 4 ½ - 5 inches

Weight, 1 ½ - 2 ounces

Life Cycle:

Weaning, 45 days

Sexual maturity, 7–10 months

Life Span, 14 years (recorded in captivity)

Reproduction:

Gestation Period, 59-62 days

Young/birth, 2-3

Birth Season, variable but usually twice/year

Diet:
Flowers, fruit, lizards, insects

Predators:

Owls, and possibly other birds of prey

Social Structure:

Usually solitary but sometimes females form groups of up to 15 individuals

Territory Size:

Approximately 2 acres

Conservation Status:

Threatened

1. Organization of Living Things (OL)

Middle School

L.OL.M.2 Cell Functions -"All organisms are composed of cells, from one cell to
many cells. In multicellular organisms, specialized cells perform specialized
functions. Organs and organ systems are composed of cells, and function to serve
the needs of cells for food, air and waste removal. The way in which cells function
is similar in all living organisms."

Advertising for a Cell's Organelles New

This is a activity where students create an advertisement citing the functions of a

part of a cell.

Build A Cell

Outstanding! This is a wonderful site for learning about the makeup of cells.

Cell Division Genetic Consequences

This is a good site for the students to learn or review the basics of mitosis and
meiosis. This interactive site allows students to view images in order to determine
which stage of mitosis/meiosis is occuring.

Function of Cells in Organisms

Describes how living organisms are made of cells, uses plant cells as an example.
Has other information and links that don't apply to the expectation. This site
offers beautiful graphics and numerous links to plant and animal physiology. Easy
to read and clear, concise information

HowStuffWorks Videos on Cells New

This is a video on Specialized Plant Cells. There are links to other cell function
videos.

I Can Do That

A fun tour about cells guided by cartoon cells. Students will enjoy the funny
names given to the different types of cells as well as the interactions among cells
as they learn about bacteria, animal, and plant cells. Good diagrams.

Interactive Diagrams: Cell Structure

Great source for students to interact with basic plant and animal cells.

L.OL.M.3 Growth and Development -"Following fertilization, cell division produces a

small cluster of cells that then differentiate by appearance and function to form
the basic tissue of multicellular organisms."

Cell-Tissue-Body Explorer Interactive Animated Atlas

This site is a teacher resource site that provides information on many different
human body cells. Pictures, definitions of cell parts, and quizzes are available for
each cell chosen.

Cytographics
There are many videos showing cells. The best for this benchmark is called
"Three eggs of the African Toad." This video clip shows a single cell dividing until
it becomes a tadpole. Great example that "living things are made of cells."

Mitosis Is Cell Division

This interactive site allows students to learn about the phrases of mitosis and
their features.

L.OL.M.4 Animal Systems -"Multicellular organisms may have specialized systems

that perform functions which serve the needs of the organism"

Animals

The home site has an entire unit on Biology. This site concentrates on animals.
Everything you need to carry out the unit.

Bats

"The Only Flying Mammal!" A thematic resource for teachers and students.

Explorer's Club Plants and Animals

This site has information on water, air, plants, animals, pollution, and recycling. It
also has student activities.

Fresh Water Fish

Great site for students to identify different fresh water fish. There are
hundreds of pictures of different fish. Each picture is labeled with a common and
scientific name.

Frog Dissection Tutorial New

One of the highlights, or lowlights, of a biology class is the dissection of a frog.

The exercise can be pretty messy if you don’t know what you’re doing. Fortunately,
there are good instructions to help students do the right things and complete the
frog dissection successfully. This site provides students and teachers with
directions and Internet links that demonstrate the proper procedures to complete
a successful dissection.

How the Body Works

This site has various options to choose to help students learn to identify systems
of the human body such as digestive, circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular,
nervous and excretory. Animated movies, articles, quizes and word finds will keep
both the students and teachers busy learning.

Interactive Frog Dissection

Using multimedia and other technologies, students can virtually dissect a frog by
following along with the step-by-step directions. The "Quick Time" videos do a
good job of illustrating the process.

Kidport Science

Upon arriving at this home page, click the appropriate grade and then science.
Students can choose one of four organ systems and identify the different parts
(skeleton, heart, muscles). This site will enhance students vocabulary.

Neuroscience for Kids

The smell of a flower - The memory of a walk in the park - The pain of stepping on
a nail. These experiences are made possible by the 3 pounds of tissue in our
heads...the BRAIN!! Neuroscience for Kids has been created for all students and
teacherswho would like to learn about the nervous system.

Operation Heart Transplant

This interactive site allows students to be a "cardiologist" and perform a heart

transplant. "Shockwave" software is needed to perform this task.

Slide Shows for Teachers

This is a great slide show to help identify the skeletal system.

Student Oceanography Site

This site is about marine life and conservation. It has games for students to play
and lots of information about marine life.

The Heart: An Online Exploration

This site gives a tour of the circulatory system. Detailed information as well as
pictures and videos make this site a good resource.

The Living skeleton

The Living Skeleton has x-ray images of human skeletons with descriptions and
images. For example, students can see a picture of a normal arm bone and then a
fractured arm bone, they can also see images of the fractured arm after the
surgery to fix it.

Using Live Insects in Classrooms

This online version of lessons was created from a collaboration of teachers and
scientists from Arizona and Massachusetts and the staff from the Center for
Insect Science. Roughly two hundred teachers in Arizona, Massachusetts,
Missouri, and Mississippi pilot tested the lessons in their classrooms.

Virtual Frog Dissection Kit

This award-winning interactive program is part of the "Whole Frog" project. You
can interactively dissect a (digitized) frog named Fluffy, make movies, and play
the Virtual Frog Builder Game. The interactive Web pages are available in a
number of languages.

Water Critter Key

This website gives students the chance to work with dichotomous keys. Students
choose an aquatic animal from the game board. They then answer the questions to
determine the identity of their animal by its physical characteristics.

L.OL.M.5 Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers -"Producers are mainly green

plants that obtain energy from the sun by the process of photosynthesis. All
animals, including humans, are consumers that meet their energy by eating other
organisms or their products. Consumers break down the structures of the
organisms they eat to make the materials they need to grow and function.
Decomposers, including bacteria and fungi, use dead organisms or their products
to meet their energy needs."

Bacteria Galore, Ebook New

Students can read this ebook that explains what bacteria are. It is well illustrated
with examples of bacteria and goes into detail.

Energy Pyramid, Phytoplankton, and Food Chain

Show how phytoplankton flow through the food chain as a energy source. The site
also has other links for this benchmark.

Food Chains and Food Webs

Outstanding! This web site contains background information and graphics

regarding food chains and food webs. Students can construct a possible food web
on-line which is printable. The "chain reaction activity" is interactive also. Once
students have placed the objects in order the food chain becomes animated.
Finally, students are asked to remove the frog to see how the population in a food
chain affects other populations (animated).

Life Science Connections

This award winning web site is both teacher and student friendly. It is filled with
information and activities about frogs frogs frogs!!!!.

Population Ecology

This site talks about the basics of symbiosis, competition, mutualism, predator-
prey relationships. It gives examples and pictures in some of the links.

The Flow of Energy Through Plants and Animals

Students can investigate how energy flows through living organisms. A description
of food chains is given and examples are visually illustrated through hand drawn
charts. A variety of links are available on food chains, energy flow, and
photosynthesis. Unfamiliar vocabulary words are defined at the click of a button.

The Science of Aging

This site introduces students to the concept of aging and how scientists study
human aging.

L.OL.M.6 Photosynthesis -" Plants are producers; they use the energy from light to
make sugar molecules from the atoms of carbon dioxide and water. Plants use
these sugars along with minerals from the soil to form fats, proteins, and
carbohydrates. These products can be used immediately, incorporated into the
plant’s cells as the plant grows, or stored for later use."

Photosynthesis - Light Reactions (Forest Biology Virginia Tech)

Outstanding! Interactive animation for photosynthesis. Diagrams are labeled.

Narration for animated movie at end of site.

The Great Plant Escape

Students take a journey with an interactive detective into the world of plants to
find clues, perform experiments, and solve problems that will solve various cases
pertaining to plants. Extension activities and quizzes are available.

The Flow of Energy Through Plants and Animals

Students can investigate how energy flows through living organisms. A description
of food chains is given and examples are visually illustrated through hand drawn
charts. A variety of links are available on food chains, energy flow, and
photosynthesis. Unfamiliar vocabulary words are defined at the click of a button.

Yummy Plant Parts

Lesson Plan Students will:

1. Understand the structure and function of roots, stems, and leaves.

2. Identify the parts of a plant by looking at an entire plant or a part of a plant.

3. Understand the importance of plants for animals’ (humans’) existence.

2. Heredity (HE)

Middle School

L.HE.M.1 Inherited and Aquired Traits -"The characteristics of organisms are

influenced by heredity and environment. For some characteristics, inheritance is
more important; for other characteristics, interactions with the environment are
more important."

1.An Inventory of My Triats

Students take an inventory of their own easily-observable genetic traits and

compare those inventories with other students in groups. Students then make data
tables and bar graphs showing the most and least common traits in their group.

2.DNA and Mutations

This site explores the way mutations can occur in DNA to result in evolutionary
changes in organisms. The site explores the following areas: DNA and the
molecular basis of mutations; types of mutations; causes of mutations; effects of
mutations; a case study of the effects of mutation; and the random nature of
mutations.

3.Genetics

The home site has an entire unit on Biology. This site concentrates on genetics.
Everything you need to carry out the unit.

Going, Going, Gone

This site gives general information of 5 causes of extinction with limited

examples. Could be used as a quick reference for students.
4.Study Stack New

This interactive site allows students to learn genetics vocabulary by playing

hangman and a variety of other activities. It would be appropriate for use with
upper elementary or middle school students.

5.The Gene Scene New

This site has a variety of activities that help students understand heredity and
related concepts. It would be appropriate for use with upper elementary or middle
school students.

6.Tour the Basics of Genetics

Outstanding - This is a Plug In Movie that gives general information about

heredity and has excellent animations to go along with the descriptions. Students
can click through the movie. You can find this excellent presentation by clicking on
"What is Inheritance?...". Teachers have to register with the site to access it

7.You and Your Genes

An overview of genes and the role they play in our lives. Subtitles include
"Designer Genes- They're the Boss", "Where did you get your pairs of genes?" and
"Typos and Misplaced Letters." This site briefly discusses both the human
genome project and the environmental genome projects (has links for both) by
explaining how human genes play a role in how we react to environmental
substances.

b.L.HE.M.2 Reproduction -"Reproduction is a characteristic of all living systems;

because no individual organism lives forever, reproduction is essential to the
continuation of every species. Some organisms reproduce asexually. Other
organisms reproduce sexually."

1..Discovery / Plant Pollination

Lesson Plan / Students explore pollination of plants in the classroom.

2.Pollination
This site allows students to go step by step through the life cycle of a flowering
plant. From "Pollination" page, click on "the life cycle of the flowering plant."
Other links go into great detail on pollination.

3.Biology Lessons at SDSU

This site provides a great deal of information on mitosis. There is an activity

section, glossary and an alternative ideas section. Good diagrams of the process of
cell division, chromosomes and genetic information.

4.DNA from the Beginning

This site is an animated primer on the basics of DNA, genetics, and heredity.
Select topics from the right frame, then select concepts, and animation.
Animations, biographies and other related links makes this a good resource site.

5.Genetic Science Learning

Online and hands-on activities for grades 7-12 can be found on this site. Teacher
thematic units as well as parent information enhance this site. As the body's main
building blocks, stem cells work to develop, maintain, and repair tissues and organs
throughout life. Find out why medical researchers are so interested in these cells
and consider some of the challenges in stem cell research.

6.I Can Do That

This site has a story line version of the genetic science benchmarks. Students will
enjoy learning how DNA works and how genes jump around on the chromosome.

7.Kids Genetics

Kids play a game to learn about punnets and pedigrees. Several other interactive
games are vailable.