Classification

Classification of Living Organisms

Living organisms are similar in some ways and different in others.

Animals:

Animals share some characteristics like the ability to reproduce, grow, and eat. However, they also differ in how they move and their body coverings.

Plants:

Plants share some characteristics like how they make food, but they also differ in their size and leaf shape.

To make it easier to study the many types of plants and animals, scientists put them into groups based on their similarities and differences. This is called classification.

Classification Key

Classification Key: The tool used to identify living organisms based on their characteristics is called the classification key. It asks direct questions with "yes" or "no" answers to help identify different organisms.

Using the classification key, we can distinguish between various living creatures like butterflies, goats, earthworms, and fish.

The following diagram illustrates that.