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Biology-Mr.Willets
Lab-Taxonomy
Putting organisms into groups is not as easy as it might see. There are many organisms that look similar but are actually unrelated. On the other hand, there are organisms that look different but are closely related. There are always arguments about how to best group living things. Even when groups are established and agreed upon, the whole system can be disturbed when new organisms are discovered.
When biologists discover a new organism, they must decide how it is related to other known organisms. First, they place it into one of the 6 kingdoms. From there, into the proper phylum, class etc.
Sometimes, a newly discovered organism does not fit nicely into any group. Taxonomists are then faced with a problem. Do they put it into a particular group even if it isn't all that much like the others in that group or do they create a whole new group?
Some taxonomists do not like to create new groups unless absolutely necessary. They prefer to lump organisms together even if they don't fit all that well. These are the "LUMPERS".
Others prefer to create new groups and sort out all the different types even if they are not all that different. These are the "SORTERS".
Procedure-
Look at the shapes on the next page (Go to Shapes Page). Assume these are organisms that have to be classified according to similarities and differences.
1) Divide these 'organisms' into 2 groups based on what you think are the most important characteristics. Give names to these groups based on the traits chosen (play around and make the names sound like Latin).
Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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2) Now take these same 'organisms' and divide them into three groups. Give names to these groups.
Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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3) Now, using the same organisms, divide them into 4 groups.
Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Group Name____________________________ What traits are needed to be in this group?
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Which made the most sense to you- the 2-group, 3-group or 4-group system? _______________
Are you a Lumper or a Sorter? ___________________
When you have decided which system made the most sense, separate the 'organisms' into the groups using that system and call me over. I have a new "organism" I want you to classify! (obviously, we can't do this using the web site)
When I give you this new "organism", you have several choices:
1) Put it into one of the groups in your system
2) Decide that one of your other systems would now be better and put the new organism into one of those groups
3) Create a whole new grouping system
4) Keep the groups you have and create a separate group for this 'organism'
Question- What did you decide to do with this new 'organism"? Why? Please be sure that you use complete sentences and that your ideas make sense.
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