Sorting the many kinds of living things into groups
There are millions of different kinds of plants, animals and microorganisms on Earth. To study them, scientists sort them into groups based on similarities and differences. This is called classification. For example, animals with a backbone, such as fish, frogs, snakes, birds and humans, are vertebrates, while those without a backbone, such as earthworms, insects and snails, are invertebrates.
Plants can be grouped by whether they make flowers. Flowering plants, like mango and rose, produce seeds inside fruits, while non-flowering plants include mosses and ferns. Plants are also grouped as herbs, shrubs and trees by their stems. Scientists arrange living things in levels called taxonomic categories, starting with the large kingdom and going down to the smallest group, the species. Members of one species can breed with each other. Every species has a scientific name in two parts; the tiger is Panthera tigris.
Why it matters
Classification makes it easier to learn about living things, find out how they are related and identify new ones. It helps doctors know which microbes cause disease and helps farmers recognise pests. Knowing the variety of life explains why protecting forests and wildlife sanctuaries keeps many species alive.
Key terms
- Classification
- Arranging living things into groups based on their similarities and differences.
- Vertebrate
- An animal that has a backbone.
- Species
- A group of similar organisms that can breed with one another.
- Biodiversity
- The variety of different kinds of living things in an area.