Topic 7 - Living Things in the Biosphere

Suggested Time: 19 days

Objectives

Students will:

• examine the modes of transmission of these pathogens to humans; and identify an example of a virus, bacterium, fungus, and parasite.

• identify some characteristics that are used to put common organisms into categories;

• analyze shared characteristics among organisms;

• use a pneumonic device to recall the seven levels of the Linnaean classification system (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species);

• explain that an organism’s scientific name is made up of two Latin words, one for its genus and the other for its species;

• describe domains as being a more inclusive (larger) category than kingdoms;

• identify the three domains as Archaea, Eubacteria, and Eukarya;

• discuss that organisms are placed into domains based on their genetic similarities; and recognize that the organisms in the three domains are divided into six kingdoms.

Benchmarks Covered:

• SC.6.L.14.A

• All living things share certain characteristics.

• SC.6.L.14.B

• The scientific theory of cells, also called cell theory, is the fundamental organizing principle of life on Earth.

• SC.6.L.14.C

• Life can be organized in a functional and structural hierarchy

• SC.6.L.14.D

• Life is maintained by various physiological functions essential for growth, reproduction, and homeostasis.

• SC.6.L.14.3

• Recognize and explore how cells of all organisms undergo similar processes to maintain homeostasis, including extracting energy from food, getting rid of waste, and reproducing.

• SC.6.L.14.6

• Compare and contrast types of infectious agents that may infect the human body, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

• SC.6.L.15.1

• Analyze and describe how and why organisms are classified according to shared characteristics with emphasis on the Linnaean system combined with the concept of Domains.