Levels of Classification Domain – the largest, broadest category, such as Eukarya Kingdom – Protists, Fungi, Plants and Animals. Phylum – A group of similar organisms within a kingdom. vertebrates Class Order Family Genus Species – A group of similar organisms that can mate and produce offspring. Do kids prefer candy over fancy green salad?

Plants All plants make their own food. All plants are multicellular. Plants are either vascular (tubes for support, structure, and moving water and food) or nonvascular (no tubes, usually smaller plants). Plants either have seeds or no seeds. Conifers make seeds in cones.

Animals Animals cannot make their own food. They eat stuff. Animals move at some point during their life. Animals are all multicellular. Vertebrates have backbones. Invertebrates do not have backbones.

Specific Animals Arthropods – Outer skeleton and jointed legs. Birds – Lay eggs, warm-blooded, vertebrate, covered in feathers, lungs. Reptiles – Lay eggs, cold- blooded, vertebrate, lungs, scaly skin.

Dichotomous Key A dichotomous key is a series of questions which is used to identify specific plants or animals with certain characteristics.