Families
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/4/9/22497242/4446829.gif?197)
At any one time in history, there are millions of different kinds of plants and animals in the world. In 1753, a scientist in Sweden named Carolus Linnaeus, thought of an orderly system for classifying plants and animals. He grouped all organisms according to a two-part name, binomial. The first part of the name is the "generic" grouping, also known as genus. The second part is the "specific" grouping or species. Scientists today still use this basic idea of his system, but modern classifications systems are much more complicated. For example, genetic systems group organisms according to structure and physical connections between organisms. Phylogenic systems classify based on genetic connections. Evolving theories have impacted modern classification.
In order to begin to classify plants, consider the structure by which the plant absorbs water. Plants are either vascular or non-vascular. Vascular plants have tube-like structures that transport water from the roots to the stem to the leaves. Non-vascular plants absorb water only through their surfaces. Another way to consider plant classification is according to reproduction. Some plants reproduce by producing seeds.
To begin to classify animals, you should consider the backbone. Animals that have a backbone are called vertebrates. Animals that do not have a backbone are called invertebrates. All invertebrates lack backbones, but their other physical characteristics are quite varied. They must be, considering that 95 percent of all animals are invertebrates. Some, like worms, have soft bodies with no bones at all. Some other invertebrates like snails, have soft bodies, but carry a hard shell for protection. These soft-bodied invertebrates that live in water or on land are grouped as mollusks. Besides snails, some other mollusks are clams, mussels, octopus and squid.
Another way to consider groups of vertebrates is according to their diet. Animals that eat plants are known as herbivores. Animals that feed mostly on meat are known as carnivores. Some animals, called omnivores, eat both plants and meat. Another way to consider groups of vertebrates is according to their body temperature. All vertebrates are either cold-blooded or warm-blooded. A vertebrate is considered cold-blooded if its internal body temperature matches the outside temperature. Fish, amphibians and reptiles are examples of cold-blooded animals. Living on the water or land makes it necessary for them to adapt to the temperature surrounding them.
Mammals rely upon skin, hair, or fur to help adapt to temperature changes. Another characteristic of all mammals is the ability of the female to produce milk to feed her babies. Some mammals, like whales, live in the water and must adapt to changing water temperatures. Other land mammals, like wolves, have adapted to very cold climates. In general, warm-blooded animals must prepare for temperature extremes in order to survive.
In order to begin to classify plants, consider the structure by which the plant absorbs water. Plants are either vascular or non-vascular. Vascular plants have tube-like structures that transport water from the roots to the stem to the leaves. Non-vascular plants absorb water only through their surfaces. Another way to consider plant classification is according to reproduction. Some plants reproduce by producing seeds.
To begin to classify animals, you should consider the backbone. Animals that have a backbone are called vertebrates. Animals that do not have a backbone are called invertebrates. All invertebrates lack backbones, but their other physical characteristics are quite varied. They must be, considering that 95 percent of all animals are invertebrates. Some, like worms, have soft bodies with no bones at all. Some other invertebrates like snails, have soft bodies, but carry a hard shell for protection. These soft-bodied invertebrates that live in water or on land are grouped as mollusks. Besides snails, some other mollusks are clams, mussels, octopus and squid.
Another way to consider groups of vertebrates is according to their diet. Animals that eat plants are known as herbivores. Animals that feed mostly on meat are known as carnivores. Some animals, called omnivores, eat both plants and meat. Another way to consider groups of vertebrates is according to their body temperature. All vertebrates are either cold-blooded or warm-blooded. A vertebrate is considered cold-blooded if its internal body temperature matches the outside temperature. Fish, amphibians and reptiles are examples of cold-blooded animals. Living on the water or land makes it necessary for them to adapt to the temperature surrounding them.
Mammals rely upon skin, hair, or fur to help adapt to temperature changes. Another characteristic of all mammals is the ability of the female to produce milk to feed her babies. Some mammals, like whales, live in the water and must adapt to changing water temperatures. Other land mammals, like wolves, have adapted to very cold climates. In general, warm-blooded animals must prepare for temperature extremes in order to survive.