Theory question 101
Characteristics and Classification of Living Things(a) What is classification of living things?
(b) State four ways each by which the following groups of organisms are of economic importance in their habitats.
(i) fungi; (ii) plants.
(c) Complete the table below by stating five major phyla of the Kingdom Animalia and give one example of each.
Table: Phyla of Kingdom Animalia | Example
Show the model answer
(a) Grouping living things into categories (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) according to their similarities and differences in structure, so they are easy to identify and study.
(b)(i) Fungi, any four: decompose dead matter and recycle nutrients; some cause diseases of plants and animals (e.g. ringworm, rusts); yeast is used in baking and brewing; mushrooms are eaten as food; some (e.g. Penicillium) give antibiotics; they spoil food, wood, cloth and paper.
(b)(ii) Plants, any four: provide food for animals and man; give out oxygen in photosynthesis and remove carbon (IV) oxide; provide shade and shelter/habitats; prevent soil erosion; give timber, fibres and fuel; give drugs/medicines.
(c) Any five phyla with a correct example: Porifera - sponge; Coelenterata (Cnidaria) - Hydra/jellyfish; Platyhelminthes - tapeworm/liver fluke/planaria; Nematoda - Ascaris/hookworm/guinea worm; Annelida - earthworm/leech; Mollusca - snail/octopus; Arthropoda - cockroach/spider/crab; Echinodermata - starfish/sea urchin; Chordata - fish/toad/man.
In (c) each phylum must be matched with an example that really belongs to it.