The Classifications of Living Things

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The Classifications of Living Things Scientists group plants and animals according to their similarities and differences. Plants are divided into flowering and non-flowering. Animals are divided into vertebrate animals (those with a backbone) and invertebrates (those without a backbone). Invertebrates include insects and crabs (which have an exoskeleton outside their body), earthworms, molluscs and jellyfish. There are five classes of vertebrate animals: Fish Amphibians Reptiles Mammals Birds. Some people would think of FARM B to remember them all. Did you know? Roughly 95% of all animals are invertebrates. They tend to be small so we are often less aware of just how many of them there are. Scientists divide invertebrates into over thirty different groups from simple organisms like sea sponges, to insects, spiders, crustaceans and molluscs. The Characteristics of All Living Things Whether plant or animal, single- or multi-celled, big or microscopic, all living organisms share seven characteristics: MOVEMENT- Single-celled creatures and animals usually move as a whole, while plants and fungi make movements with parts of themselves. RESPIRATION- Food is broken down to provide energy. Most organisms need oxygen for this and so many also breathe, taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide. Plants, however, do the opposite, they take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen so that we can breathe. SENSITIVITY- Plants and animals are sensitive- or respond- to stimuli. GROWTH- This may be a simple increase in size for bacteria or single-celled creatures, but may also involve a growth in the numbers of cells or even a change in shape. REPRODUCTION- Through division, whether that is sexual or asexual reproduction. EXCRETION- Chemical changes, respiration and nutrition all produce waste products which are then excreted in various ways.

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