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BBiologyS1 to S4Classification
Classification lab: keys and the five kingdoms
From mountain gorillas to the malaria parasite, living things are sorted into groups. Use a key like a real biologist to name them.
LevelS1 to S4 (and IGCSE)
TimeAbout 35 min
You useDichotomous keys
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To use a dichotomous key to identify organisms and to place them in the five-kingdom system.
You will learn to
- Use a dichotomous key step by step.
- Name the five kingdoms and their features.
- Write binomial names correctly.
- Classify vertebrates into five classes.
🧭 What to do
- Choose an Organism and read its description.
- Answer each key question with Yes or No.
- Read its full classification.
- Identify the Mystery organism and tap Check.
- Answer the questions with the class data.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
Organisms and their groups.
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
📄 My lab report
Your report collects the aim, your data table, the graphs, your answers and your conclusion. It is made on your phone or computer: nothing is sent to anyone.
Check your conclusion
A dichotomous key gives two choices at each step, using features you can observe. Living things are placed in five kingdoms (Prokaryotae, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia) and then in phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. Each species has a two-part Latin name, such as <i>Gorilla beringei</i>.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Practical worksheet: make a key for leaves or insects around the school
- Classification problems
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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