Classification Assignment

Question

Instructions: Can you separate fact from fiction when it comes to classification? In this assignment, you are going to bust some myths and find the facts. Read each myth (untruth). Reword the myth to make it a fact. Then, provide two pieces of evidence to support why the myth is untrue. When providing evidence, use your own words and complete sentences.
Student Name:
1. Myth: A dead organism is the same as a nonliving thing in science.
o Fact:
o Evidence #1:
o Evidence #2:

2. Myth: The Linnaeus system of classification will always stay the same.
o Fact:
o Evidence #1:
o Evidence #2:

3. Myth: Tigers and goldfish are not related.
o Fact:
o Evidence #1:
o Evidence #2:

4. Myth: An organism's kingdom only describes physical characteristics.
o Fact:
o Evidence #1:
o Evidence #2:

5. Myth: Mammals and plants don't belong in the same domain.
o Fact:
o Evidence #1:
o Evidence #2:

Your Turn: Come up with another myth about the classification of organisms. Reword the myth to make it a fact. Then, provide two pieces of evidence to support why the myth is untrue. Use your own words and complete sentences when providing evidence.
6. Your myth:
o Fact:
o Evidence #1:
o Evidence #2:

Answer 1

Student Name: [Your Name]

1. Myth: A dead organism is the same as a nonliving thing in science.
   Fact: A dead organism is not the same as a nonliving thing; it was once a living organism and may still contain biological material.
   Evidence #1: Dead organisms often retain cellular structures and genetic material, which are indicators of their previous life. Nonliving things do not have biological processes such as metabolism or cellular functions.
   Evidence #2: Ecosystems rely on dead organisms for nutrients and energy, as decomposition by bacteria and fungi recycles important materials back into the environment. Nonliving things do not play a role in biological processes.

2. Myth: The Linnaeus system of classification will always stay the same.
   Fact: The Linnaeus system of classification is subject to change as new scientific discoveries and technologies emerge.
   Evidence #1: Advances in genetic research have introduced molecular techniques that can redefine relationships and classifications among organisms, leading to updates in the classification system.
   Evidence #2: The discovery of new species and a better understanding of evolutionary relationships can prompt revisions to the hierarchy and naming conventions within the Linnaeus system.

3. Myth: Tigers and goldfish are not related.
   Fact: Tigers and goldfish are related as they both belong to the domain Eukarya, though they are from vastly different kingdoms.
   Evidence #1: Both tigers (animals) and goldfish (fish) share a common ancestor at a much broader evolutionary scale, demonstrating the connections between different life forms through the tree of life.
   Evidence #2: Modern classification reflects evolutionary relationships, indicating that all living organisms have connected lineages, which means even seemingly unrelated species share similarities at cellular and genetic levels.

4. Myth: An organism's kingdom only describes physical characteristics.
   Fact: An organism's kingdom classification encompasses both physical characteristics and genetic, ecological, and behavioral attributes.
   Evidence #1: The assignment of organisms to their respective kingdoms considers aspects such as cellular organization and developmental processes, not just external traits.
   Evidence #2: Molecular and genetic analyses have revealed relationships and classifications that are not solely based on morphology, providing a more comprehensive understanding of each kingdom.

5. Myth: Mammals and plants don't belong in the same domain.
   Fact: Mammals and plants belong to different kingdoms but are included in the same domain, Eukarya, which encompasses all organisms with eukaryotic cells.
   Evidence #1: Domain Eukarya includes a diverse range of life forms, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists, all of which share common cellular traits such as membrane-bound organelles and a defined nucleus.
   Evidence #2: The classification system reflects the evolutionary history of organisms, which shows that while mammals and plants have distinct characteristics, they share a common ancestry at the domain level.

6. Your myth: All bacteria are harmful to humans.
   Fact: Not all bacteria are harmful; many are beneficial and essential for human health and the environment.
   Evidence #1: Certain bacteria play crucial roles in digestion, such as those found in the human gut microbiota, which help break down food and produce vital nutrients.
   Evidence #2: Bacteria are also used in medicine and biotechnology, such as in the production of antibiotics, vaccines, and in bioremediation processes to clean up environmental pollutants, demonstrating their positive impact on human life.